Wearable device with overlapping ends coupled by magnets

ABSTRACT

A wearable device is provided with a wearable device structure. The wearable device has a first end and a second end, each with a plurality of magnets. The first and second ends are coupled by overlapping at least a portion of the first end magnets to at least a portion of the second end magnets. A distance between the overlapped magnets on the first end to magnets of the second end is 0.1 to 10 mm. ID circuitry is provided at a surface or an interior of the wearable device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 14/038,990,filed Sep. 27, 2013, U.S. Ser. No. 14/037,974, filed Sep. 26, 2013, U.S.Ser. No. 14/037,870, filed Sep. 26, 2013 U.S. Ser. No. 14/037,825, filedSep. 26, 2013, U.S. Ser. No. 14/037,747, filed Sep. 26, 2013, U.S. Ser.No. 14/037,717, filed Sep. 26, 2013, U.S. Ser. No. 14/037,643, filedSep. 26, 2013, U.S. Ser. No. 14/037,594, filed Sep. 26, 2013, U.S. Ser.No. 14/037,536, filed Sep. 26, 2013, U.S. Ser. No. 14/036,382, filedSep. 25, 2013, U.S. Ser. No. 14/036,287, filed Sep. 25, 2013, U.S. Ser.No. 14/036,111, filed Sep. 25, 2013, U.S. Ser. No. 13/923,909, U.S. Ser.No. 13/923,637, U.S. Ser. No. 13/923,614, U.S. Ser. No. 13/923,809, U.S.Ser. No. 13/923,750, U.S. Ser. No. 13/923,583, U.S. Ser. No. 13/923,560,U.S. Ser. No. 13/923,543, and U.S. Ser. No. 13/923,937, all filed Jun.21, 2013 and all of which claim the benefit of U.S. 61/772,265, filedMar. 4, 2013, U.S. 61/812,083, filed Apr. 15, 2013 and 61/823,502, filedMay 15, 2013. All of the above-identified applications are fullyincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to wearable devices with magnets forfastening, and more particularly to a wearable device with a pluralityof magnets that are positioned at first and second ends of the wearabledevice, and overlapped at a distance between at least a portion ofmagnets of the first end to the second end of magnets being 0.1 to 10mm.

2. Description of the Related Art

As portable electronic devices become more compact, and the number offunctions performed by a given device increase, it has become asignificant challenge to design a user interface that allows users toeasily interact with a multifunction device. This challenge isparticular significant for handheld portable devices, which have muchsmaller screens than desktop or laptop computers. This situation isunfortunate because the user interface is the gateway through whichusers receive not only content but also responses to user actions orbehaviors, including user attempts to access a device's features, tools,and functions. Some portable communication devices (e.g., mobiletelephones, sometimes called mobile phones, cell phones, cellulartelephones, and the like) have resorted to adding more pushbuttons,increasing the density of push buttons, overloading the functions ofpushbuttons, or using complex menu systems to allow a user to access,store and manipulate data. These conventional user interfaces oftenresult in complicated key sequences and menu hierarchies that must bememorized by the user.

A large number of the top health problems are either caused in whole orin part by an unhealthy lifestyle. More and more people lead fast-paced,achievement-oriented lifestyles that often result in poor eating habits,high stress levels, and lack of exercise, poor sleep habits and theinability to find the time to center the mind and relax. Recognizingthis fact, people are becoming increasingly interested in establishing ahealthier lifestyle.

Traditional medicine, embodied in the form of an HMO or similarorganizations, does not have the time, the training, or thereimbursement mechanism to address the needs of those individualsinterested in a healthier lifestyle. There have been several attempts tomeet the needs of these individuals, including a perfusion of fitnessprograms and exercise equipment, dietary plans, self-help books,alternative therapies, and most recently, a plethora of healthinformation web sites on the Internet. Each of these attempts istargeted to empower the individual to take charge and get healthy. Eachof these attempts, however, addresses only part of the needs ofindividuals seeking a healthier lifestyle and ignores many of the realbarriers that most individuals face when trying to adopt a healthierlifestyle. These barriers include the fact that the individual is oftenleft to himself or herself to find motivation, to implement a plan forachieving a healthier lifestyle, to monitor progress, and to brainstormsolutions when problems arise; the fact that existing programs aredirected to only certain aspects of a healthier lifestyle, and rarelycome as a complete package; and the fact that recommendations are oftennot targeted to the unique characteristics of the individual or his lifecircumstances.

Individual monitoring has been accomplished by electronic monitoring andanalysis. Vital signs derived from physiological waveforms a monitoredand alarms generated if predetermined limits were exceeded by the vitalsigns. Monitoring equipment has become more complex as morephysiological data is collected and more in-depth analysis of the datais required, such as calculation of vital signs and trends whichrequired memory and processing capability.

With the introduction of monitoring units, attempts have been made toprovide a measure of remote monitoring by transmitting analog waveformsof physiological data from the bedside unit to equipment at a centralstation such as a nurse's station. Subsequently remote monitoringefforts include analog waveforms plus digital representations fordisplay. Both the bedside and remote monitoring activity act to givealarms upon sensing an abnormal condition and to store data and analyzedata to obtain vital signs and trends. But these systems are basicallyone-way systems reporting physiological data from the user. There is nocommunication with the user as a part of an interactive integratedsystem.

Telemetry systems can be implemented to acquire and transmit data from aremote source. Some telemetry systems provide information about a user'sactivities.

It is becoming commonplace to use wireless packet data service networksfor effectuating data sessions with. In some implementations, uniqueidentifications (ID) need to be assigned to the devices in order tofacilitate certain aspects of service provisioning, e.g., security,validation and authentication, et cetera. In such scenarios, it becomesimperative that no two devices have the same indicium (i.e., collision).Further, provisioning of such indicia should be flexible so as tomaintain the entire pool of indicia to a manageable level while allowingfor their widespread use in multiple service environments.

Medical telemetry systems may comprise an alarm adapted to identify highrisk users and/or users requiring special assistance. Some medicalprocedures and diagnostic examinations require the removal of anytelemetry system components attached directly to a user. One problemwith conventional medical telemetry systems is that the process ofremoving telemetry system components for purposes of performing amedical procedure or diagnostic examination can generate a false alarm.False alarms unnecessarily tax hospital resources and interfere with theworking environment.

There is a need for improved wearable devices with sensors. There is afurther need for a wearable device, with electrical components, thatincludes magnets for coupling first and second ends of the wearabledevice. There is a further need for a wearable device, with electricalcomponents, that includes magnets for coupling first and second ends ofthe wearable device, where at least a portion of the magnets of thefirst end are overlapped with at least a portion of magnets at thesecond end at a distance of 0.1 to 10 mm.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved wearabledevice.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedwearable device that includes a plurality of magnets that are used tocouple one end of the wearable device with a second end of the wearabledevice, and at least a portion of the magnets at the first end areoverlapped with magnets at the second end at a spacing distance of 0.1to 10 mm to couple the first and second ends.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a wearabledevice that utilizes a plurality of magnets for coupling one end toanother end, and the wearable device includes ID circuitry.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a wearabledevice that utilizes a plurality of magnets to couple first and secondends of the wearable device, with the wearable device including asupport structure.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a wearabledevice that utilizes a plurality of magnets to couple first and secondends of the wearable device, with the wearable device including asupport structure for the magnets.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a wearable devicethat utilizes a plurality of magnets to couple first and second ends ofthe wearable device, with the wearable device configured to be incommunication with a social network and/or payment system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a wearable devicethat utilizes a plurality of magnets to couple first and second ends ofthe wearable device, where the wearable device is a mobile device.

These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in awearable device with a wearable device structure. The wearable devicehas a first end and a second end each with a plurality of magnets. Thefirst and second ends are coupled by overlapping of at least a portionof the first end magnets to at least a portion of the second endmagnets. A distance between overlapped magnets on the first end tomagnets at the second end is 0.1 to 10 mm. ID circuitry is provided at asurface or an interior of the wearable device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1( a) and 1(b) illustrate one embodiment of a wearable device ofthe present invention, where one size fits all.

FIG. 1( c) illustrates an embodiment of the present invention with atleast a portion of adjacent magnets at or in a wearable device structurehave opposite polarities.

FIG. 1( d) illustrates an embodiment of the present invention where atleast a portion of the magnets are provided with a first portion withone polarity and a second portion with a different polarity.

FIG. 1( e) illustrates an embodiment of the present invention where atleast a portion of magnets of first and second ends of the wearabledevice structure couple the two ends together.

FIG. 1( f) illustrates an embodiment of the present invention with adistance (“Z”) of at least a portion of the magnets positioned in aninterior of wearable device structure from the exterior side walls ofthe wearable device structure.

FIG. 1( g) illustrates one embodiment of the present invention whereelectronic components and circuitry are coupled to a support structureor frame.

FIG. 1( h) illustrates one embodiment of the present invention and is across-sectional view of the wearable device structure, illustrating theframe and a living hinge.

FIG. 1( i) illustrates an embodiment of the present invention where thewearable device structure includes an undercut

FIG. 1( j) illustrates an embodiment of the present inventionillustrating a positioning of the electronic circuitry and the frame inrelation to first and second sides of the wearable device.

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of electronics that can be included inthe wearable device.

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a telemetry system of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of the programming input schematic of the securesensor/transmitter array of FIG. 7.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the system of programming thesensor/transmitter(s) comprising the secure sensor/transmitter array ofFIG. 7.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the jam command and security/randomizationbits of the secure sensor/transmitter array of FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 is a logic circuit diagram of the sensor/transmitter programminginput schematic in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a computer implementedsystem for determining the location of a remote sensor utilizing themethods of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a SNAPSHOT GPSreceiver for use according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a remote sensor shown in communicationwith two different external communication devices.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of the active RF and RF backscatter antennas.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of the encoding scheme for the symbols in theactive RF protocol.

FIG. 13 is a diagram of the packet structure in the IRDA protocol.

FIG. 14 is a diagram of the encoding scheme in the IRDA protocol.

FIG. 15 illustrates one embodiment of an activity manager that isincluded in the monitoring device, the telemetry system or as astandalone device.

FIG. 16 illustrates one embodiment of an activity manager in oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 17( a) and (b) illustrate an exemplary user interface for anactivity management application according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 18 is a timing diagram illustrating one example of monitoring anactivity based on one or more contexts according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a monitoringdevice of the present invention.

FIG. 20 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention that includesa feedback system or subsystem.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of proving feedbackand/or alerts to a user or patient.

FIG. 22 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment for a method ofestablishing control parameters for a monitoring device user or patientfeedback or alert signal and a sensor signal threshold range for thefeedback or alert signal.

FIG. 23 is a representation of an embodiment of the Health Manager webpage according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a representation of an embodiment of the nutrition web pageaccording to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a representation of an embodiment of the activity level webpage according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a representation of an embodiment of the mind centering webpage according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a representation of an embodiment of the sleep web pageaccording to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a representation of an embodiment of the daily activities webpage according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a representation of an embodiment of the Health Index webpage according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a block diagrams\ illustrating portable multifunction deviceswith touch-sensitive displays in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 31 illustrates one embodiment of a touch screen of a monitoringdevice used with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the term engine refers to software, firmware, hardware,or other component that can be used to effectuate a purpose. The enginewill typically include software instructions that are stored innon-volatile memory (also referred to as secondary memory). When thesoftware instructions are executed, at least a subset of the softwareinstructions can be loaded into memory (also referred to as primarymemory) by a processor. The processor then executes the softwareinstructions in memory. The processor may be a shared processor, adedicated processor, or a combination of shared or dedicated processors.A typical program will include calls to hardware components (such as I/Odevices), which typically requires the execution of drivers. The driversmay or may not be considered part of the engine, but the distinction isnot critical.

As used herein, the term database is used broadly to include any knownor convenient means for storing data, whether centralized ordistributed, relational or otherwise.

As used herein a mobile device includes, but is not limited to, a cellphone, such as Apple's iPhone®, other portable electronic devices, suchas Apple's iPod Touches®, Apple's iPads®, and mobile devices based onGoogle's Android® operating system, and any other portable electronicdevice that includes software, firmware, hardware, or a combinationthereof that is capable of at least receiving the signal, decoding ifneeded, exchanging information with a transaction server to verify thebuyer and/or seller's account information, conducting the transaction,and generating a receipt. Typical components of mobile device mayinclude but are not limited to persistent memories like flash ROM,random access memory like SRAM, a camera, a battery, LCD driver, adisplay, a cellular antenna, a speaker, a BLUETOOTH® circuit, and WIFIcircuitry, where the persistent memory may contain programs,applications, and/or an operating system for the mobile device.

As used herein, the terms “social network” and “SNET” comprise agrouping or social structure of devices and/or individuals, as well asconnections, links and interdependencies between such devices and/orindividuals. Members or actors (including devices) within or affiliatedwith a SNET may be referred to herein as “nodes”, “social devices”,“SNET members”, “SNET devices”, “user devices” and/or “modules”. Inaddition, the terms “SNET circle”, “SNET group” and “SNET sub-circle”generally denote a social network that comprises social devices and, ascontextually appropriate, human SNET members and personal area networks(“PANs”).

A used herein, the term “wearable device” is anything that can be wornby an individual and that has a back side that in some embodimentscontacts a user's skin and a face side. Examples of wearable deviceinclude but are not limited to a cap, arm band, wristband, garment, andthe like. The term “wearable device” can also be a monitoring device ifit includes monitoring elements.

As used herein, the term “computer” is a general purpose device that canbe programmed to carry out a finite set of arithmetic or logicaloperations. Since a sequence of operations can be readily changed, thecomputer can solve more than one kind of problem. A computer can includeof at least one processing element, typically a central processing unit(CPU) and some form of memory. The processing element carries outarithmetic and logic operations, and a sequencing and control unit thatcan change the order of operations based on stored information.Peripheral devices allow information to be retrieved from an externalsource, and the result of operations saved and retrieved.

As used herein, the term “Internet” is a global system of interconnectedcomputer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP)to serve billions of users worldwide. It is a network of networks thatconsists of millions of private, public, academic, business, andgovernment networks, of local to global scope, that are linked by abroad array of electronic, wireless and optical networking technologies.The Internet carries an extensive range of information resources andservices, such as the inter-linked hypertext documents of the World WideWeb (WWW) and the infrastructure to support email. The communicationsinfrastructure of the Internet consists of its hardware components and asystem of software layers that control various aspects of thearchitecture.

As used herein, the term “extranet” is a computer network that allowscontrolled access from the outside. An extranet can be an extension ofan organization's intranet that is extended to users outside theorganization that can be partners, vendors, and suppliers, in isolationfrom all other Internet users. An extranet can be an intranet mappedonto the public Internet or some other transmission system notaccessible to the general public, but managed by more than one company'sadministrator(s). Examples of extranet-style networks include but arenot limited to:

-   -   LANs or WANs belonging to multiple organizations and        interconnected and accessed using remote dial-up    -   LANs or WANs belonging to multiple organizations and        interconnected and accessed using dedicated lines    -   Virtual private network (VPN) that is comprised of LANs or WANs        belonging to multiple organizations, and that extends usage to        remote users using special “tunneling” software that creates a        secure, usually encrypted network connection over public lines,        sometimes via an ISP.

As used herein, the term “Intranet” is a network that is owned by asingle organization that controls its security policies and networkmanagement. Examples of intranets include but are not limited to:

-   -   A LAN    -   A Wide-area network (WAN) that is comprised of a LAN that        extends usage to remote employees with dial-up access    -   A WAN that is comprised of interconnected LANs using dedicated        communication lines    -   A Virtual private network (VPN) that is comprised of a LAN or        WAN that extends usage to remote employees or networks using        special “tunneling” software that creates a secure, usually        encrypted connection over public lines, sometimes via an        Internet Service Provider (ISP).

For purposes of the present invention, the Internet, extranets andintranets collectively are referred to as (“Network Systems”).

As used herein, the term “user” includes but is not limited to a person,under a physician's care, interested in maintaining health, interestedin maintaining a healthy lifestyle and/or physiologic balance,interested in monitoring lifestyle conditions, including but not limitedto, the way a person goes about daily living including but not limitedto, habits, exercise, diet, medical conditions and treatments, career,financial means, emotional status, and the like.

As used herein, the term “user monitoring” includes: (i) Cardiacmonitoring, which generally refers to continuous electrocardiographywith assessment of the user's condition relative to their cardiacrhythm. A small monitor worn by an ambulatory user for this purpose isknown as a Holter monitor. Cardiac monitoring can also involve cardiacoutput monitoring via an invasive Swan-Ganz catheter (ii) Hemodynamicmonitoring, which monitors the blood pressure and blood flow within thecirculatory system. Blood pressure can be measured either invasivelythrough an inserted blood pressure transducer assembly, or noninvasivelywith an inflatable blood pressure cuff. (iii) Respiratory monitoring,such as: pulse oximetry which involves measurement of the saturatedpercentage of oxygen in the blood, referred to as SpO2, and measured byan infrared finger cuff, capnography, which involves CO2 measurements,referred to as EtCO2 or end-tidal carbon dioxide concentration. Therespiratory rate monitored as such is called AWRR or airway respiratoryrate). (iv) Respiratory rate monitoring through a thoracic transducerbelt, an ECG channel or via capnography, (v) Neurological monitoring,such as of intracranial pressure. Special user monitors can incorporatethe monitoring of brain waves electroencephalography, gas anestheticconcentrations, bispectral index (BIS), and the like, (vi) Blood glucosemonitoring using glucose sensors. (vii) Childbirth monitoring withsensors that monitor various aspects of childbirth. (viii) Bodytemperature monitoring which in one embodiment is through an adhesivepad containing a thermoelectric transducer. (ix) Stress monitoring thatcan utilize sensors to provide warnings when stress levels signs arerising before a human can notice it and provide alerts and suggestions.(x) Epilepsy monitoring. (xi) Toxicity monitoring, (xii) generallifestyle parameters and the like.

Additionally the present invention can be used to detect differences fora variety of blood tests, including but not limited to tests for thefollowing: sodium, potassium, chloride, urea, creatinine, calcium,albumin, fasting glucose, amylase, carcinoembryonic antigen,glycosylated hemoglobin, hemoglobin, erthrocytes hemoglobin and thelike.

In various embodiments, the present invention provides systems andmethods for monitoring and reporting human physiological information,life activities data of the individual, generate data indicative of oneor more contextual parameters of the individual, monitor the degree towhich an individual has followed a routine and the like, along withproviding feedback to the individual.

In certain embodiments, the suggested routine may include a plurality ofcategories, including but not limited to, nutrition, activity level,mind centering, sleep, daily activities, exercise and the like.

In general, according to the present invention, data relating to thephysiological state, the lifestyle and certain contextual parameters ofan individual is collected and transmitted, either subsequently or inreal-time, to a site, can remote from the individual, where it is storedfor later manipulation and presentation to a recipient, can over anelectronic network such as the Internet. Contextual parameters as usedherein means parameters relating to the environment, surroundings andlocation of the individual, including, but not limited to, air quality,sound quality, ambient temperature, global positioning and the like.

In various embodiments, the present invention provides a user monitoringdevice 10, including but not limited to, a wearable device, where onesize fits all. Monitoring device 10 can be a sensor enabled item 10,including but not limited to a wearable device, gym bag, wallet, file,shoes, skis, and the like that has its own unique ID. As illustrated inFIGS. 1( a) and 1(b), in one embodiment of the present invention, theuser monitoring device 10 includes a plurality of magnets 12. All of themagnets 12 are positioned at or in an interior of monitoring or wearabledevice structure 11, with in one embodiment at least a portion ofadjacent magnets having opposite polarity, with a length suitable to beworn by all people. In one embodiment, the length of the user monitoringdevice 10 can be 10-12 inches. The magnets 12 are positioned along aninterior of the user monitoring device 10 to be provided for goodconformation to a user's wrist. The monitoring device 10 includes astructure 11 that can be made of a variety of materials, and it is thisstructure of the monitoring device that includes the magnets 12.

In various embodiments, the wearable device 10 and wearable devicestructure 11 can be made as a whole piece or segment, or in separatesegments that can be coupled together, (i) mechanically, (ii) byadhesion, (iii) by heat staking, (iv) with magnets, (v) other couplingmechanisms, and the like.

As previously mentioned, at least a portion of the magnets are in aninterior of wearable device structure 11. In one embodiment, illustratedin FIG. 1( c), adjacent magnets 12 at or in wearable device structure 11have opposite polarities e.g, one magnet has one polarity and theadjacent magnetic 12 has a different polarity. In another embodiment,adjacent magnets 12 are magnetized in different directions, which can bealong their lengths, widths or thicknesses, e.g. in x, y and zdirections. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the magnets 12 aremagnetized through their widths or thickness, e.g., depth of the magnet12. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the magnets 12 are providedwith a first portion with one polarity and a second portion with adifferent polarity, FIG. 1( d). In one embodiment, the differentsections of at least a portion of a magnet 12 can have differentsections with different polarities, and the sections need be of the samesize or strength. As non-limiting example, a magnet can have 10%, 20%30%, 40%, 50% of a first section with a first polarity and a secondportion of the magnet with a different polarity. The first and secondportions need not be of the same physical size. In these variousembodiments, the magnets are used to couples a first end of wearabledevice structure 11 with a second end. In one embodiment, the couplingbetween the first and second ends wearable structure 11 use the magnets12 to create a closure and an engagement of the wearable device 10 witha body part, including but not limited to a wrist. In one embodiment,this coupling can create a closure and/or a locking of the first andsecond ends of the wearable device structure 11, as illustrated in FIG.1( e). This occurs when one end of the wearable device 10 with magnets12 is positioned adjacent to a second end of the wearable device 10.

As a non-limiting example, shown in FIG. 1( e), one end of the wearabledevice structure 11 overlaps the second end, e.g, on end on top of theother, or one distal end of one end in physical contact with a distalend of a second end. As a non-limiting example, the distance between theoverlapped magnets 12 when one end overlaps is adjacent to the other end(“X”), measured from facing faces of the magnets 12, is, (i) 0.1 to 10mm, (ii) 0.1 to 5 mm, (iii) 0.25 to 3 mm (iv) 0.5 to 1 mm, (v) 0.5 to 2mm, (vi) 0.25 to 5 mm, and the like. Other ranges are also possible.

It will be appreciated that the overlapped magnets 12 do not have to beabsolutely overlapped and there can be some offset, e.g. a magnet 12 ata first end does not have to be in complete alignment with acorresponding magnet at a second end. As non-limiting examples, theoverlap between corresponding magnets 12 of a first end to a second endcan be an overlap of magnet 12 areas of, (i) 10%, (ii) 25%, (iii) 50%,(iv) 75%, and the like. Other percentages of overlap are possible withthe present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1( c), in one embodiment, the distance (“Y”)between adjacent magnets 12 at a first or second end wearable devicestructure 11 can be in the range of, (i) 0.1 to 10 mm, (ii) 0.25 to 7.5mm, (iii) 12 is 0.5 mm to 5 mm, and the like.

As a non-limiting example, and as illustrated in FIG. 1( f), thedistance (“Z”) of at least a portion of the magnets 12 positioned in aninterior of wearable device structure 11 from the exterior side walls ofthe wearable device structure 11 is, (i) 0.1 mm to 2.0 mm, (ii) 0.25 to5 mm, (iii) 0.1 to 3 mm, and the like.

As non-limiting examples, the size of magnets 12 is: (i) length, (0.5 to30 mm), (1 to 20 mm), (2 to 10 mm); (ii), width, (0.5 mm to 30 mm), (1to 20 mm), (2 to 10 mm); and (iii) thickness/depth, (0.5 mm to 10 mm),(1 to 7.5 mm), (2 to 5 mm), and the like.

As non-limiting examples, the strength of the magnets 12 is from, N25 toN52, N30 to N52, N40 to N52, and the like.

In various embodiments, the temperatures that the magnets 12 can beexposed to during, processing, cleaning and/or manufacturing, and thelike, of the wearable device 10 is from, 100 to 500 degrees ° F., 150 to450° F., 200 to 400° F., and the like. As a non-limiting example, themagnets 12 can be as follows: M (212° F.)-H (248° F.) SH (302° F.)-UH(356° F.) and EH (392° F.).

In one embodiment, the magnets 12 are all sealed in wearable device 10.Sealing can be done by a variety of mechanisms, including but notlimited to, molding, over-molding, partially over-molding the magnets 12with the materials of the wearable device structure 11, the use of othersuitable sealing mechanism, including but not limited to liquidsincluding but not limited to ferrofluids, adhesives and the like. Thesealing is done in a manner to not interfere with the operation of themagnets. In one embodiment, the magnets 12 are sealed in or at thewearable device 10 that is substantially made of silicone rubber, asmore fully described hereafter.

In one embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 1( g), the magnets 12 are coupledto a support structure or frame 13. All or a portion of the wearabledevice 10 electrical components and circuitry 15, as more fullydescribed hereafter, can be attached to and/or positioned within theframe 13. The frame 13 can be made of a variety of materials, includingbut not limited to a thermoplastic that can be ground up and used again.Other suitable materials include metals, composites and the like.

The positioning of the electrical components and circuitry 15 is suchthat the positioning does not interfere in the operation and the magnets12 and vice versa.

FIG. 1( h) is a cross-sectional view of wearable device structure 11 andillustrates an embodiment where the frame 13 includes a living hinge 17.The living hinge can flex and hinge by inself, without additionalelements.

The frame 13 protects the magnets 12 and electronic components andcircuitry 15, and can also protect sensors 14, from torsional andmechanical forces imparted to wearable device 10. As non-limitingexamples, the frame 13 protects against mechanical forces imparted tothe magnets 12 and the electronic components and circuitry 15 in amountsthat do not exceed: pull force: 0.5 to 100 kgf, (stretching of thewearable device 10); bend force: 0.5 to 100 kgf (bending of the wearabledevice 10); shear force: 0.5 to 100 kgf (shearing of the wearable device10; and a torsional strength in the range of 0.25 to 50 Ncm (twisting ofthe wearable device 10)

As illustrated in FIG. 1( i), the wearable device structure 11 caninclude an undercut 19 that enables the magnets to be slid into thewearable device structure 11 and be retained by the wearable devicestructure 11 itself without the need for adhesives or other retainingelements or compositions. One or all six sides of a magnet 12 can beretained with an undercut 19.

As a non-limited example, the undercut 19 of the wearable devicestructure 11, can be at an undercut angle of from 0 to 45°. The undercut19 can be in any variety of different geometries depending on theundercut angle. Not all of a magnet's periphery need to included in theundercut 19. The amount of the magnet 12 in an undercut of the wearabledevice structure 10 can vary, but should be sufficient to retain themagnet 12.

FIG. 1( j) illustrates an embodiment of the positioning of an electroniccircuitry 15, frame 13 and first and second sides of wearable device 11.

One or more sensors 14 are coupled to the user monitoring device 10. Thesensors are measuring devices. As a non-limiting example, the measuringdevice or sensors 14 can include RTSS devices to detect a user'sactivities, motions, physical parameters, and the like, including butnot limited to, a heart rate monitor, a body temperature probe, aconventional pedometer, an accelerometer and the like.

Alternatively, multifunctional sensors 14 which can perform all theaforementioned functions of RTSS may be attached or embedded in usermonitoring device 10. In one embodiment, each sensor can be incommunication and or connect electronically and/or RF to a telemetrymodule 16. A variety of different sensors 14 can be utilized, includingbut not limited to, an accelerometer based sensor, and pressure basedsensors, voltage resistance sensor, a radio frequency sensor, and thelike, as recited above.

As a non-limiting example, an accelerometer, well known to those skilledin the art, detects acceleration and thus user activity. Theaccelerometer provides a voltage output that is proportional to thedetected acceleration. Accordingly, the accelerometer senses vibration.This voltage output provides an acceleration spectrum over time; andinformation about loft time can be ascertained by performingcalculations on that spectrum. A microprocessor subsystem, such asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,352,211, incorporated herein by reference,stores the spectrum into memory and processes the spectrum informationto determine activity. Other examples of suitable accelerometer sensorsare disclosed in EP 2428774 A1, incorporated herein by reference.Suitable pressure sensors are disclosed in EP 1883798 B1, incorporatedherein by reference. A suitable voltage resistance sensor is disclosedin EP 1883798 B1, incorporated herein by reference. A suitable radiofrequency sensor is disclosed in EP 2052352 B1, incorporated herein byreference.

Referring to FIG. 2, in various embodiments, the user monitoring device10, also known as the user monitoring device, can include a power source24, such a battery that can be rechargeable. The battery can have avariety of different geometries that make it suitable to be positionedin a wearable device such as a wristband. It one embodiment, the battery24 includes one or more curved exterior surfaces. The battery 24 can beput into a sleep state when not actively used in order to preservepower. A wake up feature allows the battery 24 and other electronics ofthe user monitoring device 10 to “sleep” during non-use or and isinitiated into the “wake up” mode by certain predestinated events.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a telemetry system server16 is coupled to a database 18. Each user monitoring device 10 isassigned its own unique identification, ID.

The data transmitted by the user monitoring device 10 sensors 14 and itsID may be coded by appending a seed to digital data bits. As illustratedin FIG. 3 central processor unit 20 (CPU) validates or rejects receivedupon detection of the seed string appended to the digital data bits. Inthe alternative, the digital data bits may be coded and decoded byapplying a scrambling algorithm utilizing the seed. A programming device22 may be configured to transmit data to a sensor 14, also known as auser monitoring device, utilizing a variety of alternative transmissionmeans, including, for example, RF, IR, optical, and the like, or amagnetic loop/induction system.

In one embodiment, sensors 14 are configured to be shipped to users in anon-programmable mode with all programming already performed at thefactory. A random seed may be communicated to the programming device 22can a variety of different mechanisms, including but not limited to, viascanning a bar code, manual input, magnetic strip, random numbergeneration, and the like.

Referring again to FIG. 2, in one embodiment, the user monitoring device10 includes a control unit 26 that puts the user monitoring device 10 ina low power state. A monitoring system 28 can be included that remainsactive. The monitoring system 28 wakes up the electronics 30 in the usermonitoring device 10 from a low power state. The control unit 26 can benotified of awaking of the other components by the monitoring system 28.The control unit 26 can set a status bit on the monitoring system 28only when the battery 24 needs to be in a full power state. The controlunit 26 then forces a power cycle.

Referring to FIG. 3, one embodiment of a telemetry system 32 isillustrated. The telemetry system 32 is in the communication with thesensors 14 and or user monitoring device 14 and ID of the usermonitoring device 10 and can include one or more receivers 34, a centralserver 36 with the CPU 20. The telemetry system 32 can optionallyinclude a display 42 and an alarm 44. The telemetry system 32 receivesinformation from sensors 14 and or the monitoring device of a user'shabits, activities, and the like, and then processes this information.Monitoring device 10 with its unique ID and sensors 14 is assigned to aspecific user in order to track and/or monitor that user. Forillustrative purposes assume that three users A, B AND C are beingtracked and monitored by the telemetry system 32. It should, however, beappreciated that the telemetry system 32 may be implemented to trackand/or monitor a much larger number of users.

In one embodiment of the present invention, radio frequency (RF) devicesthat are sensors 14 and/or chips may serve as the identifying devices.Each source, sensor 14, ID and the like can carry a fixed radiofrequency chip encoded with identifying data which may be correlated tothe individual participants, parts or objects.

Telemetry system 32 of the present invention may include a Real-TimeLocation System (RTLS) 46 and Real-Time Sensing System (RTSS) 48 with RFtechnology. The RF technology may include active and/or passive RFIDsensors 14 and an RF wireless array system as a receiver 34. The RFtechnology in the RTLS 46 and RTSS 48 may include UWB technology (e.g.,IEEE 802.15), WLAN technology (e.g., IEEE 802.11), SAW RFID positioningsystem technology, GPS technology, and the like.

The sensors 14 may communicate directly with each other and/or relaytelemetry data directly to base receiving RF device(s) or base receivers34. The base receivers 34 may forward the telemetry data to a basecomputer either through a direct link or through a Network System.Alternatively the telemetry data may be forwarded to end user devices,including but not limited to, laptops, mobile devices and the like,either directly or through a Network System. The comprehensive telemetrysystem 32 using RF technologies such as UWB, ZigBee, Wi-Fi, GPS datasystem can be utilized as described above.

The readers/antennae may be interconnected using a LAN, such as Ethernetto provide a Network System communication infrastructure for thecomputers and servers. Active and passive RFID sensors 14 may beemployed. The active sensors 14 (RFID) may have a two-way communicationfunction, which allows the base computer system to dynamically managethe sensors 14; vary update rates; send self-identification andtelemetry data.

The active sensors 14 may employ dual-radio architecture. In oneembodiment, active sensors 14 transmit radio pulses, which are used todetermine precise two-dimensional or three-dimensional location and aconventional bi-directional radio, which is used as a control andtelemetry channel with a sensor update rate.

The user monitoring device 10 gathers telemetry data, communicates thatdata to a base station, BLUETOOTH® enabled device, or smart phone andthe like. From the base station, the user monitoring device 10 canreceive firmware updates or via a BLUETOOTH® enabled device. The usermonitoring device 10 can receive updates wirelessly. The base stationcan receive firmware updates from Network Systems, take telemetry datafrom the user monitoring device 10 and transfer it to Network Systems.Telemetry data received from the base station is analyzed by servers andpresented to an end user. Any third party device can receive data fromthe user monitoring device 10 wirelessly and deliver information to theservers for processing.

In one embodiment, the user monitoring device 10 uses an accelerometer,gyroscope, GPS sensor, a BLUETOOTH® chip, and a heart rate monitor.

As a non-limiting example, for heart monitoring, the accelerometer,sensor 14, determines when to sample the sensors 14 and to improve theaccuracy of the heart rate monitor. The gyroscope detects movement andorientation and the GPS sensor is used to determine location of theuser. A BLUETOOTH® chip allows the device to connect wirelessly to otherthird party devices.

As a non-limiting example, a heart rate monitor 14 detects the user'sheart rate in order to accurately determine the user's activity level,behavioral patterns and the like.

An Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Learning-grade algorithms isused to identify the user's activities, behaviors, behaviors and performanalysis. Examples of AI algorithms include Classifiers, Expert systems,case based reasoning, Bayesian Network Systems, and Behavior based AI,Neural networks, Fuzzy systems, Evolutionary computation, and hybridintelligent systems. A brief description of these algorithms is providedin Wikipedia and stated below.

Classifiers are functions that can be tuned according to examples. Awide range of classifiers are available, each with its strengths andweaknesses. The most widely used classifiers are neural networks,support vector machines, k-nearest neighbor algorithms, Gaussian mixturemodels, naive Bayes classifiers, and decision trees. Expert systemsapply reasoning capabilities to reach a conclusion. An expert system canprocess large amounts of known information and provide conclusions basedon them.

A case-based reasoning system stores a set of problems and answers in anorganized data structure called cases. A case based reasoning systemupon being presented with a problem finds a case in its knowledge basethat is most closely related to the new problem and presents itssolutions as an output with suitable modifications. A behavior based AIis a modular method of building AI systems by hand. Neural networks aretrainable systems with very strong pattern recognition capabilities.

Fuzzy systems provide techniques for reasoning under uncertainty andhave been widely used in modern industrial and consumer product controlsystems. An Evolutionary Computation applies biologically inspiredconcepts such as populations, mutation and survival of the fittest togenerate increasingly better solutions to the problem. These methodsmost notably divide into evolutionary algorithms (e.g., geneticalgorithms) and swarm intelligence (e.g., ant algorithms). Hybridintelligent systems are any combinations of the above. It is understoodthat any other algorithm, AI or otherwise, may also be used. Examples ofsuitable algorithms that can be used with the embodiments of the presentinvention are disclosed in, EP 1371004 A4, EP 1367534 A2, US 20120226639and US 20120225719, all incorporated fully herein by reference.

In various embodiments, the user monitoring device 10 has additionalfeatures. In one embodiment, the user monitoring device 10 changescolor, via infrared LEDs, to accurately match the wearer's skin tone.This creates a seamless and more personal integration of technology intothe user's daily life. In this embodiment, there is skin contact withthe user monitoring device 10.

In another embodiment, the user monitoring device 10 remotely remindsand can be used to administer medications. As a non-limiting example,the user monitoring device 10 can inject adrenalin. In one embodiment,the user monitoring device 10 has sleep pattern recognition based onmovement and heart rate.

In various embodiments, the user monitoring device 10 uses algorithms todetermine activity type, behavioral patterns and user habits based oncollected data.

In one embodiment, the user monitoring device 10 uses the accelerometerinformation to improve the heart rate monitor. As a non-limitingexample, the user monitoring device 10 detects movement and speed.Addition of this data improves the accuracy of the heart rate monitorand corrects for any miscalculations in vibration, noise and skin color.

In one embodiment, velocity readouts and accelerometer data are used tomeasure when to sample heart rate. For example, if the user monitoringdevice 10 registers zero velocity readout, the user is probably at restor engaged in a passive activity. Thus, the user monitoring device 10knows not to sample heart rate. This results in conversation of time,energy and data storage.

User activity, performance and action can be based on the accelerationand angular velocity of the user monitoring device 10. In oneembodiment, the user monitoring device 10 has a feature where the usermonitoring device 10 authorizes third party interaction based on handgesture, on previous interactions or patterns of behavior. As anon-limiting example, if one purchases a coke every day for the last twoweeks, the user monitoring device 10 can “orders” the person another onebased on the prior history.

In one embodiment, the user monitoring device 10 features near-by usermonitoring device 10 recognition that provides for other user monitoringdevice 10 devices to be recognized within a particular vicinity and areable to share and transfer data between them. The user monitoring device10's data analysis and feedback can be based on current or previoussensor output. The user monitoring device 10 can alert the user when tocharge the user monitoring device 10 and when it is the most convenientfor the user.

In various embodiments, the feedback can be provided in graphical form,be contained in one or more web pages, transmitted to the monitoringdevice 10, displayed or communicated by audio mechanisms and the like.

In one embodiment, the user monitoring device 10 provides feedback viacolor change. An outer shell of the user monitoring device 10 can usevisual feedback, including but not limited to pigment or color changesto indicate changes in user behavior or to prompt changes in userbehavior. In one embodiment, the user monitoring device 10 is flexiblein shape. As a non-limiting example, if the user puts the usermonitoring device 10 over their hand it can expand or contract, morphingto change size and shape.

In one embodiment, the user monitoring device 10 can have a sync featurefor multiple bands at the same time.

In one embodiment, the user monitoring device 10 has data transfer to anexternal device that can be included or not included in system 32.Patient monitoring device 10 could be a data leaching device. Forexample, the user can relay information to someone else's device(intermediary device) to access Network Systems connected device.

In one embodiment, the user monitoring device 10 can disable therecording of one or more sensors 14 based on location, acceleration (orlack thereof) and the like.

In one embodiment, the user monitoring device 10 detects different typesof transportation and activity based on sensor data. In one embodiment,user monitoring device 10 can unlock doors or cars. The user can turn iton and off. As a non-limiting example, it can be turned off by having acapacitor switch on top and bottom and is placed in a way that onecouldn't accidentally turn it off. As a non-limiting example, turning itoff can be done by rotating the user monitoring device 10 once.

In one embodiment, the user monitoring device 10 recognizes the wearerbased on biometric information, previous data, movement pattern, and thelike. In one embodiment, the user monitoring device 10 detects a newuser based on an inability to match to user/usage patterns.

For purposes of this application, a user's biometric information is oneor more distinctive, measurable characteristics used to label anddescribe a user. In one embodiment, the biometric information includesbut is not limited to, user physiological conditions or traits and userbehavioral characteristics. In one embodiment, the biometric informationis selected from at least one of, fingerprint, face recognition, DNA,palm print, hand geometry, iris recognition, retina, odor or scent, usergait, user blood pressure, user activity, user habit information anduser health information.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the wearable device 10includes wearable device structure 11 with one or more sensors 14 thatdetect or measure wearable device user information selected from of atleast one of, a wearable device user's activities, behaviors and habitinformation, and a wearable device user's health. Communication andpathway systems are included. One or more processors 52 or a servercompare received biometric information from the one or more sensors 14,perform a comparison, and determine a user profile stored in a database,including but not limited to database 18, that is internal or externalto the wearable device 10.

In this embodiment, the wearable device 10 can be in communication withtelemetry system 32. The biometric information is one or moredistinctive, measurable characteristics used to label and describe auser. In one embodiment, the biometric information includes userphysiological conditions or traits and user behavioral characteristics.In one embodiment, the biometric information is selected from at leastone of, fingerprint, face recognition, DNA, palm print, hand geometry,iris recognition, retina, odor or scent, user gait, user blood pressure,user activity, user habit information, user health information. In oneembodiment, the one or more processors 52 selects parameters associatedwith biometric data to use in authenticating the biometric data. In oneembodiment, the database, which can be database 18, stores userbiometric information for a variety of applications and purposes. In oneembodiment, the applications and purposes are selected from at least oneof, feature extraction, recording, and use of biometric parametersunrelated to secure storage of biometric parameters.

In one embodiment, a user's profile includes at least a portion of auser's biometric information. In one embodiment, the one or moreprocessors 52 provide for authentication of the user and matchesreceived biometric data with stored biometric data. In one embodiment,the one or more processors 52 perform at least one of, (i) extraction ofunique features of the biometric data, (ii) enhances distinguishingaspects of the biometric data, and (iii) compresses the biometric data.The one or more processors 52 can compare received biometric data withrecords of a user's biometric data to identify a user. In oneembodiment, in response to the received biometric information, biometricinformation in the database is added, dropped and/or changed.

Logic resources can be provided to determine a statistical closeness ofthe received biometric information with information in the database,which can be database 18.

In one embodiment, the telemetry system 32 provides an affirmativeresponse when the received biometric information is within a selectedrange in comparison to the stored biometric data. Records of biometricdata can be selected from the database 18 or another database, all beingsecured databases. Transmission of the biometric information from thewearable device 10 can be performed using a secure transport protocol.

In one embodiment, the wearable device 10 performs authentication of auser from the received biometric information using a comparison todetermine whether the received biometric data sufficiently matchesselected records of one of a plurality of users in the database. Theperformed authentication of the user can include a confidence range of adifference between a specified characteristic of the received biometricdata with stored biometric data.

In one embodiment, the wearable device 10 encodes encoding enrollmentbiometric parameters of a user to produce an enrollment factor. Theenrollment factor can be included in a database, including database 18.In one embodiment, the wearable device 10 acquires enrollment biometricdata from a user. In one embodiment, the wearable device extracts theenrollment biometric parameters from the enrollment biometric data. Inone embodiment, the wearable device authenticates biometric parametersto produce decoded biometric parameters.

As non-limiting examples, a variety of different sensors 14 can be usedsuch as, an altimeter, blood oxygen recognition, heart rate from wristvia sonar, Doppler, based on sound wave and movement, based on pressure,and the like. A pressure sensor 14 can be placed on a circulatory vesselsuch as a vein to detect pulse.

With the user monitoring device 10 of the present invention, mechanicalactions of the user can be triggered, recognized and evaluated.

As a non-limiting example, with multiple users and wearable devices 10,a separate user monitoring device 10 ID is assigned to each of the usersA, B AND C, and thereafter the assigned transmitter/monitor 14 generatesuser activity data and/or user tracking data. For purposes of thisdisclosure, monitoring data is defined to include data acquired duringthe process of monitoring or evaluating a predefined characteristic. Theuser activity data tracks data from the sensors 14 is transferred to thereceivers 34 via the wireless connections 38 represented by a dashedline.

A network of receivers 34 transfers the user activity and/or trackingdata to system server 16 via connection 50. System server 16 includes aprocessor 52 configured to process the user data in a known manner. Forexample, the processor 52 may convert raw user data acquired by thesensors 14 into more conveniently readable data.

As a non-limiting example, the display 42 can be implemented tographically convey user information from system server 16 in aconveniently readable manner. As a non-limiting example, the user may bea cardiac user with user monitoring data graphically conveyed as aconventional ECG plot comprising a sequence of P-waves, a QRS complexesand a T-waves. As another example, user tracking data may be graphicallyconveyed as an icon superimposed onto a map to indicate the user'srelative location. Alarm 44 may be included in this embodiment.

In some embodiments, system 32 ID circuitry delivers a unique ID to thewearable device from database 18. BLUETOOTH® chips can be coupled withother wearable devices 10 in the area. This data is then stored, as morefully explained in the following paragraph. The unique ID can beutilized for a variety of different applications including but notlimited to payments, social networking and the like.

The ID circuitry of system 32 can include a number of system/components:unique ID storage, communication system, which reads and transmits theunique ID from the unique ID storage, battery 24 or power system thatprovides power to enable communication with the user monitoring device10, a pathway system to route signals to through the circuitry, acluster that crunches information, and a control system, to orchestratethe communication between different systems. All of these systems can beimplemented in hardware, software or a combination thereof. Continuingwith the telemetry system 32, sensors 14 and sensing devices aredisposed on wearable devices 10 worn by users. Data, such as movement,location, speed, acceleration, and the like, can be acquired, capturedand provided to system 32.

System 32 and an associated Network System can include an identificationreference, including user activity, performance and referenceinformation for each individual sensor 14 and location.

The user activity, performance metrics, data and the like captured bysystem 32 can be recorded into standard relational databases SQL server,and/or other formats and can be exported in real-time.

In various embodiments, the user monitoring device 10 and/or system 32are fully sealed and have inductively charges. All communication is donewirelessly.

In one embodiment, there are no electrical contacts, physical contactsor connections with the user monitoring device 10. The user monitoringdevice 10 is seamless. The telemetry system 32 can include amicroprocessor with CPU 20, memory, interface electronics andconditioning electronics 33 configured to receive a signal from thesensors 14. In one embodiment, all or a portion of the conditioningelectronics 33 are at the user monitoring device 10.

In one embodiment, the CPU 20 includes a processor 52, which can be amicroprocessor, read only memory used to store instructions that theprocessor may fetch in executing its program, a random access memory(RAM) used by the processor 52 to store information and a master dock.The microprocessor is controlled by the master clock that provides amaster timing signal used to sequence the microprocessor 52 through itsinternal states in its execution of each processed instruction. In oneembodiment, the microprocessor 52, and especially the CPU 20, is a lowpower device, such as CMOS, as is the necessary logic used to implementthe processor design. The telemetry system 32 can store informationabout the user's activity in memory.

This memory may be external to the CPU 20 but can reside in the RAM. Thememory may be nonvolatile such as battery backed RAM or electricallyerasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM). Signals from thesensors 14 can be in communication with conditioning electronics 33 thatwith a filter 35, with scale and can determine the presence of certainconditions. This conditioning essentially cleans the signal up forprocessing by CPU 20 and in some cases preprocesses the information.These signals are then passed to interface electronics, which convertsthe analog voltage or currents to binary ones and zeroes understood bythe CPU 20. The telemetry system 32 can also provide for intelligence inthe signal processing, such as achieved by the CPU 20 in evaluatinghistorical data.

In one embodiment, the actions of the user wearing the user monitoringdevice 10 with the unique ID can be used for different activities andcan have different classifications at system 32.

The classification can be in response to the user's location, where theuser spends it time, with which the user spends its time, determinationof working relationships, family relationships, social relationships,and the like. These last few determinations can be based on the time ofday, the types of interactions, comparisons of the amount of time withothers, the time of day, a frequency of contact with others, the type ofcontact with others, the location and type of place where the user isat, and the like. These results are stored in database 18.

In one embodiment, the user wearing the user monitoring device 10 canaccess this information from any place where data is presented to theuser, including but not limited to mobile devices, the WEB, applicationsprogram identifiers, and the like.

As a non-limiting example, the user monitoring device 10 communicateswith a base station at system 32. The user monitoring device 10 canintelligently switch between data transfer and charging based on sensorreadout. The user monitoring device 10 can represent data based onconnected devices.

In one embodiment, the user monitoring device 10 has the capability ofproviding recommendations, popularity of locations or activities basedon acquired data from the user.

In one embodiment, the user monitoring device 10 has the capability ofintroducing the user to other people or users based on their data andthe user's data.

In one embodiment, the user monitoring device 10 can determine emotionof the user.

In one embodiment, the user monitoring device 10 uses incremental datatransfer via BLUETOOTH® and the like. The user monitoring device 10 cantransmit data through the inductive coupling for wireless charging. Theuser is also able to change the frequency of data transmission.

The user monitoring device 10 can engage in intelligent switchingbetween incremental and full syncing of data based on availablecommunication routes. As a non-limiting example, this can be viacellular Network Systems, WiFi, BLUETOOTH® and the like. In oneembodiment, the user monitoring device 10 has data storage. As anon-limiting example, storage of telemetry data on user monitoringdevice 10 can be amounts up to about 16 mg.

In one embodiment, data transferred if it's in a selected proximity of abase station of system 32 or in proximity of an associated connectedNetwork System. In one embodiment, the user monitoring device 10 has adynamic change of data capture frequency. The user monitoring device 10can be programmed to instantly change how often it samples any sensor 14based upon the sensor data. Intelligent data sampling is based on sensorreadout.

The user monitoring device 10 can receive firmware updates via a basestation 110 of system 32. In one embodiment, the user monitoring device10 presents analyzed data and feedback on a website. In one embodiment,the user monitoring device 10's software is based on unique humanmovement. The user monitoring device 10 is able to identify its wearerbased on the unique patterns of movement, location check-ins and dailyhabits of the user.

In one embodiment, the application can be used on a mobile device,including but not limited to a smart phone and the like.

In one embodiment, a breakdown of recounting data that has beencollecting is presented for analysis of that data. Observation orrecommendations can be presented based on historical information andlive information. The importance of the data can be based on past userbehavior.

In one embodiment, the user monitoring device 10 has artificialintelligence. A wearable device processor 54 implements logic resourcesthat exist on user monitoring device 10.

In one embodiment, user monitoring device 10 engages in the routing ofuser information to third parties based on predefined rules, based onsystem 32 analysis.

In one embodiment, user monitoring device 10 includes one or moreprocessors 54 that implement intelligent algorithmic processing andtransfer of information to third parties. Feedback can be provided tothe end user that is based on visual, tactile, gesture information andthe like.

The ID can be sent from the user monitoring device 10 in a variety ofdifferent transmit modes, which may be provided as part of the firmwareor software of an ID or sensor transmitter 14, and which may be utilizedselectively during the operation of said sensor transmitter 14, mayinclude ‘burst” transmit modes, wherein a burst of data information istransmitted, or “parcel” transmit modes, wherein timed data packets ofdata, which may, as desired, comprise partial data strings, aretransmitted, and, if desired, repeated during time intervals. Further,the sensors 14 may have programmed therein diagnostic routines or othertest modes which assist during manufacture and use, providing theoperator with operational status and verification information on saidsensor/transmitter 14, as needed. Referring to FIG. 4, system 32includes data base 18 which contains the desired transmitter, sensor, 14personality data, as well as, the address/device ID bits for each usermonitoring device 10.

In one embodiment, the initial programming of the user monitoring device10 for the ID, as well as optionally other personal information of theuser, is done securely, as unauthorized future alteration of samethereafter can be utilized as a means of violating system integrity.

In one embodiment, an inductive field coil is used for programming thesensors 14 and ID of user monitoring device 10.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the user monitoring device 10 can include asensor 14 with an output that be received by an amplifier 56 and decodedby an I/O decoder 58 to determine 1/0 logic levels, as well as, bothclock and data information 60. Many such methods are commonly availableincluding ratio encoding, Manchester encoding, Non-Return to Zero (NRZ)encoding, or the like; alternatively, a UART type approach can be used.Once so converted, clock and data signals containing the informationbits are passed to a memory 62. Any of these connections provides alogical link from the system's database 18 to the sensor 14, ID of theuser monitoring device 10, as shown in FIG. 5.

In one embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 5, the system 32 chooses thenecessary programmable sensor functions and stores them into database18. In one embodiment, in order to insure that an unauthorized usercannot connect into and program user monitoring device 10 the followingprocedure may be used.

In one embodiment, the database 18 includes base individual informationselected from at least one of, individual physiological information,information that is indicative of the individual's activities, dataindicative of one or more contextual parameters of the individual andinformation regarding a degree to which an individual has followed aroutine.

In one embodiment, the database 18 includes individual goals selectedfrom at least one of, individual physiological information, informationthat is indicative of the individual's activities, data indicative ofone or more contextual parameters of the individual and informationregarding a degree to which an individual has followed a routine.

Both the sensor 14 and receiver 34 contain an identical, repeatablepseudo randomization algorithm in ROM or in ASIC logic.

Referring to FIG. 6, the algorithm is applied to outgoing programmingdata 64 from system 32 and produces a number of security/randomizationbits 66 that can be appended to the outgoing programming message ormessage 68 and sent to a sensor 14.

Referring to FIG. 7 the sensor 14 likewise applies this pseudorandomization algorithm as the security/randomization bits 66 to theoutgoing programming data, now forming the incoming programming data 70to sensor 14 and produces a several bit result in the shift register 71.The scrambling algorithm is devised such that a small difference in theprogramming bit stream causes a great difference in the pseudorandomization result. As a non-limiting example, the present inventioncan use a 16 bit polynomial to produce this pseudo randomization.

Optionally, in one embodiment, before a sensor 14 accepts thisprogramming, stored in an address and personality register 73, both thepseudo random code, stored in data in a shift register 75 from system 32and a sensor 14, in a shift register 71 must match via a comparator ID,77, indicating unauthorized acceptance use. In addition to insuringauthorized access, this process also insures that the data itself iscorrect. The longer the polynomial sequence used, the greater thesecurity.

In one embodiment, spread spectrum or other RF transmission is used andcan include programming to determine that the frequency or spreadspectrum code is unique to the area. If a spread spectrum code, systemcode, or frequency channel is found to be occupied at a future time ofuse. Re-programming of the user monitoring device 10 is then done with anew, unused spread spectrum code or system code or frequency channel canbe selected, or, in the alternative, CPU 20.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, step “E” would include, for example, the stepof the sensor 14, inputting the programming message and saving a seed inmemory 62; with the sensor 14 utilizing the seed to code digital databits transmitted.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the location of a user monitoring device 10with the ID and sensors 14 can be determined. As a non-limiting example,in one embodiment the user monitoring device 10 includes a sensor 14that can provide a position signal having positioning data (e.g., rawGPD data or pseudo ranges) and the ID is transmitted from the usermonitoring device 10 to system server 16. Server 16 receives theposition signal and analyzes the signal to generate informationrepresenting the location of the user monitoring device 10. Server 16transmits this location information to a client computer where thelocation of the user monitoring device 10, allowing a user to identifythe location of the remote sensor 14.

In one embodiment, the position signal transmitted by the remote sensor14 can also include an emergency code. For example, in the event of anemergency, such as a medical emergency or otherwise, a user may press a“panic button” that can be on the user monitoring device 10 or by use ofa user's mobile device. Pressing the panic button may cause mobiledevice 74 to transmit an emergency signal to a cell site 76 where theemergency signal is relayed to server 16. In response, server 16 cantransmit Doppler information regarding in-view satellites, a fix commandand a time trigger signal to the user monitoring device 10.

When the location of the user monitoring device 10 has been determined,software running on server 16 configures server 16 such that a call orother signal is sent to a local emergency operator in the vicinity ofremote sensor 14. When the call or signal is received at the emergencyoperator station, the location of remote sensor 14 is transmitted anddisplayed. In some cases, where separate panic buttons are available foridentifying medical, police, fire or other types of emergencies, thenature of the emergency is also displayed for the emergency operator.Based on this information, the emergency operator can initiate anemergency response by providing the location of remote sensor 14 to therequired emergency service (police, fire department, ambulance service,etc.). In other embodiments, instead of or in addition to a positionreport for the remote sensor 14, the emergency operator may also beprovided with information which identifies an emergency response vehiclein close proximity to remote sensor 14.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, a sensor 14 of the user monitoring device 10can include a SNAPSHOT GPS receiver 72. As described above, sensor 14uses information transmitted from separately located base station 110,mobile devices, computers, and other devices, to assist in determiningthe position of the remote sensor 14, as more fully disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 6,661,372, incorporated herein by reference.

As non-limiting examples, and as illustrated in FIG. 10, the sensors 14can be a thermal transducer 78, an acoustic transducer 80, and amagnetic transducer 82. It will be appreciated that the presentinvention is not limited to these transducers. The transducers 78, 80,and 82 in the user monitoring device 10 can communicate with amicroprocessor 84 also located in the user monitoring device 10. Theuser monitoring device 10 can communicate with other devices via an RFtransceiver 86, an IRDA transceiver 88, and/or an RF backscattertransceiver 90. Each of the components in the user monitoring device 10receives power as necessary from the battery 24, which may include therechargeable battery.

The acoustic transducer 80 may include a microphone, a low-pass filter,a gain amplifier, and a threshold comparator. The acoustic transducer 80may include an omnidirectional microphone, although any other suitableacoustic transducer device would suffice. The microphone may be asurface mount MEMS device that has a frequency range of 100 Hz to 10kHz. A single MCP602 operational amplifier is used on the acousticsensor to amplify and low-pass filter the acoustic signal from themicrophone. Another operational amplifier is used to generate a voltagereference used for single biasing and detection. The microphone outputis biased to the midway point between the circuit supply voltage andground to allow for both positive and negative signal swings. The biasedsignal is filtered with a second order low-pass Butterworth filter toremove upper frequency noise. It is then amplified with an adjustablegain that is controlled by a digital resistor potentiometer. Thisdigital resistor operates on an I2C bus and is controlled by themicroprocessor 84. Lastly, the amplified acoustic signal is thresholddetected against a static voltage to detect sufficiently large acousticsignals. The digital output of the threshold detector is connected tothe microprocessor 84 for processing.

The magnetic transducer 82 can include a magnetic sensor integratedcircuit, a differential instrumentation amplifier, a low-pass filter,two gain amplifiers, and a threshold detector. The magnetic transducer82 may include an NVE AA002-02 GMR (giant magneto resistive) fieldsensor, although any suitable magnetic sensor would suffice. This sensorhas a saturation field of 15 Oe, a linear range of 0 to 10.5 Oe, and asensitivity of 3 mV/V/Oe. Two MCP602 CMOS operational amplifiers areused on the magnetic sensor to amplify and low-pass filter the analogoutput signal. An INA122UA instrumentation amplifier is used as adifference amplifier for the differential output from the magneticsensor. The magnetic sensor IC can be based on Spintronics technology.Its output includes a differential voltage pair proportional to thedetected magnetic field. The differential voltage pair is amplified andconverted to a single voltage by the instrumentation amplifier. TheAC-coupled signal is then amplified and filtered with a low-pass filterto remove upper frequency noise and boost the low-voltage signal output.The signal is amplified a second time by an adjustable gain controlledby a digital resistor similar to the acoustic sensor. Lastly, theamplified magnetic signal is threshold detected against a staticvoltage, to detect sufficiently large changes in magnetic fields. Thedigital output of the threshold detector can be connected to themicroprocessor 84 for processing.

A DS1803E-010 digitally controlled 10 kOhm variable resistor can be usedin both the acoustic and magnetic sensor circuits. It is used to adjustthe gain of one gain stage in each circuit. The digital resistor iscontrolled through an I2C interface. A LMV393IPWR comparator is alsoused in both the magnetic and acoustic sensor circuits for determiningwhen a sufficiently strong sensor signal has been detected. It comparesthe analog sensor signal against the voltage reference and its output istied to the microprocessor 84 for data collection.

The thermal transducer 78 may include a Burr Brown TMP 100NA/250 12-bitdigital temperature sensor, although any suitable thermal sensor wouldsuffice. The digital temperature sensor has an operating range of −55 to+120 degree. C, an accuracy of 0.5 degree C. and a maximum resolution of0.0625 degree C.

Even though it is a 12-bit sensor, suitable results are achieved withonly 9-bit conversions with only the 8 most significant bits used. Thesensor has an I2C interface and is normally kept in sleep mode for lowpower operation. When directed by the microprocessor 84, the thermaltransducer can perform a 9-bit temperature conversion in 75milliseconds.

The RF transceiver 86 may include an RF Monolithic DR3000 transceiver,although any suitable transceiver or separate transmitter and receiver34 would suffice. This transceiver 86 allows for both digitaltransmission and reception. The transceiver 86 can have an operatingfrequency of 916.5 MHz and is capable of baud rates between 2.4 kbps and19.2 kbps. It can use OOK modulation and has an output power of 0.75 mW.It also can use digital inputs and outputs for direct connection withthe microprocessor 84. The transceiver 86 can use an antenna 92 (FIG.11) that may include a 17 mil thick plain steel electric guitar G-stringcut to a length of 8.18 cm. It is used in a monopole over groundconfiguration and can require a matching circuit of one inductor and onecapacitor. Alternatively, Frequency Shift Keying (FSK), Quadrature PhaseShift Keying (QPSK), or any other suitable modulation scheme may beutilized.

The IRDA transceiver 88 may include a Sharp GP2W0110YPS infraredtransceiver, although any suitable IRDA compliant infrared transceiverwould suffice. This transceiver 88 can be IRDA v1.2 compliant and in oneembodiment has an operating range of 0.7 meters. In one embodiment, itis capable of 115.2 kbps data speeds.

The RF backscatter transmission device 90 may include circuitryavailable from Alien Technology (of Morgan Hill, Calif.) for receivingand transmitting signals via RF backscatter. Battery 24 may be a 3.6volt 1/2 AA lithium battery with a capacity of 1.2 amp hours. Thebattery 24 can be a power source 24 that can include a Texas InstrumentsTPS76930DBVT voltage regulator to regulate the output signal to 3 voltsand with a maximum current of 100 mA. The voltage regulator can includea LDO.

The RF backscatter transceiver 86 in the user monitoring device 10communicates with an RF backscatter reader 94 such as a class 3 readerfrom Alien Technology. The reader 94 transmits data to the backscattertransceiver 90 of the user monitoring device 10 by broadcasting encodedRF pulses and receives data back from the transceiver 86 by continuallybroadcasting RF energy to the sensor 10 and monitoring the modulated RFreflections from the sensor 10.

The RF backscatter transceiver 90 can include a printed circuit board(PCB) patch antenna for RF reception, and RF modulation, a Schotky diodedetector circuit, a comparator circuit for signal decoding, and a logiccircuit for wake-up. The logic circuit monitors the incoming data, andwhen an appropriate wake-up pattern is detected, it triggers themicroprocessor 84 so that data reception can begin. In one embodiment,the reader 94 has an operating frequency between 2402 MHz and 2480 MHz,and uses frequency hopping in this band to reduce noise interference. Amodulation method used by the reader 94 can be On-Off Keying (OOK). Inone embodiment, the transmission power is 1 watt. The operation of thereader 94 may be controlled by an external computer (not shown) asdirected by Labview software via a RS-232 serial link.

The RF transceiver 86 can communicate with an external RF transceiver 96such as a DR3000 transceiver from Radio Monolithics, Inc. In oneembodiment, it operates at 916.5 MHz, uses OOK modulation, has acommunication range of 100 meters line of sight, and a baud rate of 19.2kbps. The active RF antenna 92 can be a quarter-wavelength monopole madefrom a guitar G-string and appropriate matching circuitry. Two controllines from the microprocessor 84 can be used to select the mode ofoperation, choosing from transmit, receive, and sleep. The active RFreceiver 34 consumes the most power in receive mode compared to theother two communication links.

FIG. 6 shows the relative positioning and shape of the active RF antenna92 and the RF backscatter antenna 98.

The IRDA transceiver 88 of the user monitoring device 10 can communicatewith an external IRDA transceiver 100 that may be identical to the IRDAtransceiver 88. Alternatively, the IRDA transceiver 100 can be one suchas is provided in most personal digital assistants (PDA) as well as manyother consumer devices. The IRDA communication link follows the standardIRDA signal and coding protocol and is modeled after a standard UARTinterface. In one embodiment, the IRDA transceiver 88 is capable of dataspeeds less than 115.2 kbps, and may only have a range of 0.7 meters fortransmission. One advantage of the IRDA communication link is that itdoes not require any of the RF spectrums for operation, but it typicallydoes require line-of-sight communication.

When any one of the transceivers 86, 88 and 90 on the user monitoringdevice 10 detect the beginning of valid data on their respectivecommunication link, all other transceivers are disabled, therebypreventing the corruption of incoming data with the noise or partialdata packets on the other communication links. However, if the data onthe active transceiver proves to be erroneous, the other transceiverswill be re-enabled if appropriate to allow normal operation to continue.If the data received by the active transceiver is valid, however, theother transceivers will remain disabled for several hundred millisecondslonger in the high probability that the next data packet will betransmitted on the same communication link. If, after this extendeddelay, no additional packets are received, then the other transceiverswill be re-enabled as appropriate.

In one embodiment, the active RF protocol has no wake-up orsynchronization packets, and the packets sent to and from the sensor areidentical. In one embodiment, the format of an active RF packet is shownin FIG. 16. It can include a preamble to reset and spin-up the statemachine of the RF receiver 34 and to properly bias the receiver's 34data slicer/threshold detector for optimum noise rejection and signalregeneration, two framing bits to indicate the beginning and end of thedata bytes, and the data bytes themselves.

Furthermore, the encoding scheme for the three symbols is shown in FIG.12. The entire packet is DC balanced to maintain an optimal level on thedata slicer/threshold detector and the receiver 34. Data is sent mostsignificant bit first.

The IRDA communication link can follow the standard IRDA protocol forbit encoding and UART protocol for byte transmission. Packetstransmitted on the IRDA link can contain no preamble or framing bits,but they do have a header that contains two bytes. The first byte is anASCII “I” which denotes the beginning of a valid IRDA packet. The secondbyte equals the number of preceding bytes in the packet. This value isused by the receiver 34 to determine when the entire packet has beenreceived and processing of information can begin. The packet structureis shown in FIG. 13 and the IRDA/UART encoding scheme is shown in FIG.14.

The data bytes contained in a packet transmitted to the sensor 10through any of the communication links conform to a packet format. TheCMD section of a packet is a single byte that identifies the type ofpacket being sent. The CMD byte appears above the beginning and end ofthe packet and the two must be identical. The reason for including theredundant byte is to further eliminate the chance of a packet's CMDidentifier being corrupted at the receiver 34, even if the CHECKSUM iscorrect.

The PAYLOAD contains all of the data that must be sent to, or returnedfrom, the sensor. The PAYLOAD is broken down into individual bytes withthe overall number of bytes and their content dependent on the type ofpacket being sent.

The CHECKSUM is a 16-bit CRC that is performed on all bytes in the datapacket excluding the end CMD byte in packets generated by the externaldevice. The CHECKSUM is sent most significant byte first.

The transceivers 86, 88 and 90 may be required to communicate over agreater distance than do the components described herein. Upgradingthese components to be suitable for longer distance transmission isconsidered to be within the spirit of this invention. The type oftransducer is not limited to the specific transducer types describedherein. In addition, the logic described herein for arbitrating betweenwhich communication device to use to communicate with the outside worldand which sensor data to provide at what time is but one possibleapproach to arbitration logic within such a remote sensor 10.

In one embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 15, an activity manager 218 isprovided that is used for managing lifestyle activities of the user.Activity manager 218 can be a standalone device, or as part of thetelemetry system 32 or monitoring device 10. The dynamic activitymanager 218 can associate one or more contexts such as time, location,and the like to an activity entered by a user. The dynamic activitymanager 218 also manages an activity and any device or item associatedwith the activity.

In one embodiment, the activity manager 218 communicates with themonitoring device 10 and provides information analysis of the individualinformation received from the monitoring device, the individualinformation selected from at least one of, individual physiologicalinformation, information that is indicative of the individual'sactivities, data indicative of one or more contextual parameters of theindividual and monitoring a degree to which an individual has followed aroutine. The routine includes at least one of individual, nutrition,activity level, mind centering, sleep, daily activities, exercise andthe like.

In one embodiment, one or more of sensors 14 can be a lifestyle sensor.For example, the sensor 14 can be a physiological sensor such as a heartrate sensor, body temperature sensor, caloric sensor, or the like.Another example of a sensor is a pedometer. It should be noted that anysensor or device capable of taking measurements is applicable to thepresent invention. These sensors can be embedded, for example, inclothing and/shoes or can be stand-alone items. One specific example ofthese types of sensors is a sensor that is embedded in running shoes. Asa user walks or runs, the sensor 14 monitors various functions such asspeed, stride length, body functions (heart rate, temperatures,hydration, and the like), and the like.

This information can then be relayed back to the dynamic activitymanager 218 if desired. A web service 124 can be any type of servicesubscribed to by the user over the Internet. For example, a user can besubscribed to a weather service that is used by the dynamic activitymanager 218 when monitoring an activity such as running. The dynamicactivity manager 218, identifier enable items, including but not limitedto RFID enabled items 220, sensors 14, and Network System 224 arediscussed in greater detail below.

The dynamic activity manager 218 provides management for managing userlifestyle activities and can be included as part of the telemetry system32. In one embodiment, the activity manager 218 is in communication to auser interface 202, which can be at the monitoring device 10, forallowing a user to enter information associated with an activity thatthe user wants managed and/or monitored. As a non-limiting example, FIG.17 shows one example of the user interface 202 being displayed on themonitoring device 14. It will be appreciated the sensors can generatethis information and communicate it with telemetry system. It should benoted that some fields can be automatically populated based on useractivity entry, activity history, rules, or the like.

In one embodiment, a name entry field 302 can be used that allows theuser to enter the name of an existing activity or the field 302 can be adrop down box including existing activities. In another embodiment, themonitoring device 10 or the telemetry system 32 can perform thisactivity and function.

FIG. 16 show that a user has entered the activity of “running”.Therefore, the user is configuring the activity manager 218 to manageand monitor a running activity. The user interface 202 can also includean activity description field 304, which allows a user to enter adescription of the activity. A date entry field 306 is also included onthe user interface 202. The date field 306 allows a user to enter thedate or dates when the activity is to occur. A time start field 308 andan end time field 310 are also provided in the user interface 202. Thestart time field 308 indicates when the activity begins and the end timefield 310 indicates when the activity ends.

A user may also want the activity manager 218 to track specific itemsassociated with the activity. For example, with respect to the runningactivity, a user may want to have her running shoes and headphonestracked to ensure that she has these items when she begins the activity.This information can be entered in the items to be tracked field 312.The tracking process is discussed in further detail below. The user mayalso want to use specific sensors 14 during the activity such as sensors14 in the running shoes and a heart rate monitor. The sensor IDs ornames can be added into the sensor field 314. A user can also configurethe sensor parameters that she wants used during the activity.Alternatively, the sensor parameters can be transparent to a user. Forexample, the parameters can be pre-populated based on success of datacollection of prior activity history. This information is entered in asensor parameter field 316. In addition to having items tracked andsensors 14 monitored during the activity, the user may want to associatea web service with the activity.

For example, a user may want to associate a weather service with therunning activity so that the activity manager 218 can automatically anddynamically adjust settings on the sensors 14; determine to trackdifferent items; and the like. For example, the activity manager 218 canmonitor the web service to determine if the weather is sunny, cloudy,raining, or the like. If the weather is sunny, the activity manager maydetermine that a first pair of running shoes, sun glasses, and the likeneed to be tracked. On the other hand, if the weather is raining, theactivity manager 218 can determine not to track sunglasses and to tracka second pair of running shoes. It should be noted that the term“tracked” as used throughout this discussion refers to use of the ID ofthe monitoring device.

Alternatively, a user can setup rules that allow a web service toperform a function based on contexts. For example, if the weather israiny, a user can have a rule setup that has a web service make areservation at an indoor track. FIG. 16 also shows a web sensor rule(s)entry field 320. The web service field 320 allows a user to entervarious rules associated with Network Systems. For example, a user cansetup a web service via the web service rules field 320 to reserve arunning track if the temperature outside is less than 60° F. or if it israining.

It should also be noted that the user interface of FIG. 16 is only oneexample of a user interface applicable to the present invention. One ormore fields may be added or deleted. For example, the user interface 218can also provide a mechanism to a user for reviewing all enteredactivities, deleting activities, and the like. It should also be notedthat the user interface 202 can also reside on an information processingsystem coupled to the monitoring device 14. For example, the activitymanager 218 can have software loaded on a personal computer that allowsthe user to enter the above information or to interact with the activitymanger 218. The activity manager 218 can then sync with database 18 toupdate its data. In yet another embodiment, a user can enter informationdirectly at an identifier enabled item 220 or a sensor 14. For example,a sensor 14 can include a user interface with a calendar. Anyinformation entered here can then be synced with the activity manager216. Any configuration parameters such as a heart rate baseline, stridelength, and the like are then communicated to the activity manager 218.

Referring again to FIG. 15, the information received from a user, forexample, via the user interface 202 can also be provided to a calendar204 residing within the monitoring device 14. Alternatively, informationfrom the calendar 204 can also be extracted by the activity manager 218.For example, if the activity manager 218 determines that a user hasentered a new activity in the calendar 204, the activity manager 218 canprompt the user to determine if the user wants the activity manager 218to monitor and manage that activity. Although shown residing outside ofthe activity manager 218, the activity manager 218 can include aninternal calendar for monitoring lifestyle activities. In other words,the monitoring device 14 can include a calendar and the activity manager218 can also include an internal calendar used in conjunction with thewireless device calendar 204.

Based upon the received activity information, the activity manager 218creates activity profiles 210, 212 that are stored in an activitymanagement database 208. FIGS. 17( a) and (b) shows an example of anactivity profile 210 for a variety of activities. Although FIGS. 17( a)and (b) show a single table that includes multiple activities, eachactivity can be stored within a separate activity profile. FIG. 18 alsoshows a calendar 204 comprising calendar events associated with anactivity. The activity profile 210 includes various informationassociated with an activity such as a name 404 of an activity, anactivity ID 406, a sensor or device name 408 associated with theactivity, an identifier/device IP address 410 if available, dataconfiguration 412 for the sensor/device and the like.

Also, FIGS. 17( a) and (b) show Network Systems 414 and web servicerules 416 associated with a web service. For example, a web service A isassociated with the “running” activity. A web service rule is associatedwith the web service A that indicates that if the temperature outside isless than 60° F. then reserve an indoor track. As can be seen, theactivity profile associates a sensor/device context with activity. Thesensor/device context indicates what sensors 14/devices or associatedwith the activity and their current configurations.

In the example of FIG. 18, the information within the activity profile210 is independent of a time context or location context associated withan activity. In one embodiment, the calendar 204 associates a timecontext with and activity and an optional location context. For example,FIG. 18 shows a calendar event 402 set for May 2nd with a “running”activity from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. The calendar 204 can also show thelocation of the activity such as “Millennium Park”. Therefore, the“running” activity has a time context and a location context associatedwith it. The information within the activity profile 210 can be used bythe activity manager 218 regardless of the time and location contexts.

For example, if the user has defined a “running” activity on twodifferent days at two different times and at two different locations,the activity manager 218 can still refer to the “running” activityprofile and use the information included therein for the two instancesof the “running” activity. Therefore, the activity manger 218 monitorsboth the calendar 402 and the activity management database 208. However,the activity profiles 210 can also include time and location contexts aswell. In this example, a separate activity profile is stored in theactivity management database for each instance of an activity.

Returning now to FIG. 16, the activity manager 218 also includes acontext monitoring module 210. In one embodiment, the content monitoringmodule 210 allows the activity manager to determine whether an activityis about to start, has started, or has ended and either monitor foridentifier enabled items 220 and/or initialize sensors 14 associatedwith the activity. For example, the context monitoring module 210monitors context such as time, location, device, and the like. Thecontext monitoring module 210 can monitor the calendar 204, GPS, orinformation entered by the user to determine the current and/or locationof the wireless device. The activity manager 218 can compare activityprofiles and/or calendar events with the determined time and/or locationto determine whether an activity is starting, ending, or the like.

In one embodiment, the dynamic activity manager 218 is communicativelycoupled to a GPS module 246 and a display 244. The GPS module can beused by the dynamic activity manager 218 to determine the location ofthe monitoring device 14. The display 244 can be used for, among otherthings, to display data/information, visual alerts to a user.

As discussed above, the activity manager 218 manages and monitorsidentifier, enabled items 220, sensors 14, and Network Systems 224associated with a user activity. identifier enabled items 220 can be anyitem that is coupled to an identifier or other communication tag. Theactivity manager 218 monitors identifier enabled items 220 via anidentifier enabled item monitor 206, herein referred to as the“identifier monitor” 206. The identifier monitor 206, in one embodiment,can be an identifier transceiver embedded with monitoring software orcan be a separate monitoring software module coupled to an identifiertransceiver.

The identifier monitor 206 can be configured by the user toautomatically start monitoring for items associated with an activity orto continuously monitor for identifier enabled items 220. For example,when the activity manager determines, based on a time context and/or alocation context associated with an activity, that it is time for anactivity to start, the activity manager 218 can begin monitoring forassociated identifier enabled items 220. For example, if the activitymanager 218 determines that the running activity is about to begin, theidentifier monitor analyzes the activity profile 210 to determine whatitems are needed for the activity. The identifier monitor 206 thendetermines if items such as running shoes and heart beat monitor arepresent. In other words, the identifier monitor 206 determines if anidentifier signal from the running shoes and the heartbeat monitor hasbeen detected. The activity manager 218 can then visually, audibly,and/or tactilely notify the user of the presence or non-presence of theitems 220.

Based on the activity profiles 210, calendar 204, and/or an internalclock the activity manager 218 can determine that the user has not leftfor work, to go running, or whatever the activity may be. For example, auser can have a calendar entry or an activity defined for “leave forwork”, which begins at 8:00 a.m. Therefore, if the time is 7:30 a.m. theactivity manager 218 can determine that the user has not left for work.In another example, a user can have an activity defined for “running”.The activity manager 218 can detect that the user has left the house,entered his/her car or the like either by passing an identifier sensorat a door or via GPS and analyzes the activity profiles 210 accordingly.

The activity manager 218, based on activity profiles and/or calendarevents determines that the user is going straight from work to herrunning activity. Therefore, the activity manager 218 monitors for theitems associated with the running activity. The activity manager 218then notifies the user if these items have been protected.

In addition to monitoring for associated identifier enabled items 220when an activity is to begin, the activity manager 218 manages sensors14 associated with the activity. For example, when an activity is aboutto begin, the activity manager 218 analyzes the activity profile 210associated with the activity and identifies the sensors 14 associatedwith the activity. If the sensor 14 has not been initialized, theactivity manager 218 initializes the sensor 14 using the configurationparameters in the activity profile 210. For example, the sensors 14 andthe monitoring device 14 can communicate via a communication manager 212within the activity manager 218. The sensors 14 and the monitoringdevice 14 can communicate using a wireless connection such asBLUETOOTH®, Zigbee, or the like. In one embodiment, the dynamic activitymanager also includes a data fusion module 214 for performing datafusion with respect to health and fitness information monitored by thesensors 14.

FIG. 18 shows a timing diagram for one example of initializing a sensor14 based on the activity manager 218 detecting the start of an activity.In the example of FIG. 18, a user has a “running” activity defined onthe user's monitoring device 14 and wants to invite a friend to theactivity. At time T0 the activity manager 218 sends an invite associatedwith the “running” activity to another wireless device. The inviteincludes the time context, e.g., May 2nd at 2 p.m., and can include anoptional location context. At time T1 the invitee wireless device sendsan acceptance message to user's monitoring device 14. At time T2, theactivity manager 218 determines that the time is 2:00 p.m. and queriesthe activity management database 208 to identify the sensors 14associated with the “running” activity. The activity manager 218 alsoobtains the IP address of the sensor(s) 14. The IP address is used bythe communication manager 212 to communicate with the sensor 14. In oneexample, the sensors 14 associated with the running activity are asensor within running shoes that measures average speed, distancetraveled, and the like. Another sensor can be a hear rate monitor wornin the wrist or an audio headset of the user.

At time T3 the activity manager 218 pings the sensors 14 to determine ifthey have been initialized. If the sensors 14 have not been initializedthe activity manager 218 identifies that configurations parameters ofthe sensor from the activity profile 210 and initializes the sensors 14accordingly. The sensors 14, at time T4, send a ready response to theactivity manager 218. At time T5 the activity manager 218 beginscollecting data from the sensors 14. The activity manager 218, at timeT6, determines that the activity has completed. At time T7, the activitymanager 218 displays collected data from the sensors 14 to the user viathe user interface 202.

In another embodiment, a user can configure the activity manager 218 toonly collect specific data from a sensor 14 or not all data. Also, theactivity manager 218 does not have to communicate with a sensor 14during an activity. For example, a user may have forgotten themonitoring device 10 at her house. The application manager 218determines that an activity is starting, but sensors 14 are not in thevicinity. When sensors 14 come back into range with the monitoringdevice 14, e.g., the user comes home from running, the activity manager218 queries the sensor 14 for the data collected during the activity. Inone example, the sensors 14 collect data continuously and in anotherexample the sensor 14 only collects data during scheduled activities.For example, a user's watch may have a biometric sensor that collectsdata throughout the day. However, the user may only be concerned withplotting data during athletic activities such as bicycling. Therefore,the activity manager 218 can query the sensor 14 for data only collectedduring a bicycling activity. In the above embodiments, the sensorsinclude memory for storing data.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, the activity manager 218 can also monitor andmanage Network Systems 224 associated with an activity. For example, auser can define rules associated with Network Systems 124 that are to beapplied to the activity manager 218 with respect to an activity. Oneexample is where a user subscribes to a weather service. The user candefine a rule that states if the weather is rainy during the time periodassociated with an activity, then delay any monitoring or managing forthat activity for 1 hour. Another rule can state to delay any managingor monitoring until a user prompt is received. The activity manager 218can query the web service 124 at the start or prior to an activitystarting to obtain the required information.

The activity manager 218 can also make dynamic decisions for when tomonitor and/or manage an activity. For example, a user has an activitydefined for “pick up dry-cleaning” at 3:00 p.m. However, at 12:00 p.m.the user runs errands and is approaching the dry cleaners. The activitymanager 218 can detect the location of the user via GPS and determinesthat the user is near the dry cleaners. The activity manager thendetermines that the user needs to pick up the dry cleaning and promptsthe user to pick up the dry cleaning even though the time is prior tothe 3:00 p.m. scheduled pickup time.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed view of the wirelessdevice 104 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Thewireless device 104 operates under the control of a devicecontroller/processor 602, that controls the sending and receiving ofwireless communication signals. In receive mode, the device controller602 electrically couples an antenna 604 through a transmit/receiveswitch 606 to a receiver 608. The receiver 608 decodes the receivedsignals and provides those decoded signals to the device controller 602.

Referring now to FIG. 20, monitoring device 10 and/or telemetry system32 can include a feedback system or subsystem 710 coupled to processor20 and/or 34 to communicate feedback data back to the monitoring device10. In one embodiment, the feedback system or subsystem 710 can generateand communicate closed-loop control data (“CCD”) 712 to monitoringdevice 10. For example, closed-loop control data 712 can providefeedback to the monitoring device user or patient. It will beappreciated that feedback system or system 710 can be included inmonitoring device, telemetry system 32 or be a standalone system orsubsystem.

In another embodiment, feedback system or subsystem 710 can generate andcommunicate signals 714 for video/audio data communication to themonitoring device user or patient.

In another embodiment feedback system or subsystem 710 can generate andcommunicate monitoring device user or patient control data (“PCD”) 716to the monitoring device user or patient. In another embodiment,feedback system or subsystem 710 generates and communicates sensingcontrol data (“SCD”) 718 to a feedback system 720 associated with themonitoring device 10 for providing feedback to the monitoring deviceuser or patient. Signals and data 712 through 718 can be converted intosignals for executing feedback information, visual, audio and the like,to the monitoring device user or patient.

An example of feedback system or subsystem 710 includes, but is notlimited to, a feedback engine installed as software and/or firmware onany type at the telemetry system 32. In one embodiment, the feedbacksystem or subsystem 710 is at monitoring device 10 and receives feedbacksignals from telemetry system.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart 700 illustrating one embodiment of provingfeedback and/or alerts to a user through or without monitoring device10. Flow chart 700 and other flow charts presented herein are intendedto illustrate the functional operation of the device feedback system orsubsystem 710 and should not be construed as reflective of a specificform of software or hardware necessary to practice the methodsdescribed. It is believed that the particular form of software will bedetermined primarily by the particular system architecture employed inthe device and by the particular detection and electrical stimulationdelivery methodologies employed by the device.

At block 702, user or patient feedback is detected. Examples of feedbackinclude but are not limited to lifestyle parameters, medical conditions,lifestyle events, exercise parameters, battery 24 life of the monitoringdevice 10, battery 24 replacement required, lead or sensor 14 function,pending therapy delivery, and the like. The type of feedback and alertconditions detected can vary.

At block 704, a feedback or alert is selected that is associated with adetected feedback or alert condition. Selection of a feedback or alertsignal may involve the selection of any of the above listed parameterslisted above relative to user or patient, used to control the feedbackor alert signal. At block 706 the feedback or alert signal is deliveredaccording to settings selected at block 704.

At block 708, a sensor 14 signal is measured at telemetry system 32 ormonitoring device 10, analyzed and compared to a threshold levelcorresponding to the selected alert level at block 710. An alertthreshold level may be predefined or tailored to a given monitoringdevice user or patient. If the measured sensor 14 response does notcorrespond to an expected threshold signal level or characteristicpattern of the selected feedback or alert signal, the feedback or alertsignal is adjusted at block 712 in a closed-loop feedback method untilthe sensor signal measured at block 708 falls within a desired range ofan expected threshold level, as determined at block 710. Once thedesired feedback or alert signal level is reached, the feedback or alertsignal stimulation parameters are maintained at the current settings atblock 714 to maintain the sensor signal measurement within a desiredrange of the threshold. Maintaining the feedback or alert signalresponse within a desired threshold range promotes the reliability ofthe feedback or alert signal in informing the monitoring device user orpatient of a detected parameter described above.

Determining that the sensor signal corresponds to a selected feedback oralert threshold at block 710 may involve detecting a magnitude of the asensor signal amplitude or frequency, and/or recognizing an intendedalert pattern (e.g. short-long burst sequences, strong-weak burstsequences, or the like) based on a morphology of the sensor signal. Assuch, measuring the sensor signal at block 708 may involve measuringsignal magnitude as well as frequency characteristics during thefeedback or alert signal delivery.

Additionally or alternatively, frequency characteristics of the sensorsignal may be determined to detect sensor 10 signals. The frequencypower band of the sensor may be analyzed for correspondence tofrequency, amplitude and the like. Additionally, a sensor waveform maybe evaluated for correspondence to a frequency or amplitude. Acombination of the amplitude and frequency of the sensor signal may alsobe measured to determine a monitoring device user or patient medical orlifestyle condition.

The feedback or alert signal may be terminated if a predeterminedmaximum alert duration has expired, as determined at block 716. If amaximum feedback or alert signal duration is not reached, the feedbackor alert signal may continue to be held at the current stimulationsignal settings at block 714 until the alert expires. Alternatively, theprocess may return to block 708 to continue monitoring the sensor signalthroughout the duration of the alert delivery in order to make furtheradjustments at block 712 as needed to maintain a desired strength andpattern of the monitoring device user or patient feedback or alertsignal. If the feedback or alert signal maximum duration is reached, thesignal may be immediately terminated at block 722.

In some embodiments, if a monitoring device user or patientacknowledgement signal is received prior to the maximum signal durationexpiring, as determined at decision block 718, the feedback or alertsignal is terminated at block 722. A monitoring device user or patientacknowledgment may be in a variety of forms.

In one specific embodiment, if monitoring device user or patientacknowledgement is not received or detected at block 718, the intensityof the feedback or alert signal may be increased at block 720, steadilyor in step-wise, predetermined intervals within a feedback or alertsignal maximum duration. It will be appreciated that monitoring deviceuser or patient acknowledgement is not required. The intensity may beincreased at block 720 according to a predefined pattern by increasingpulse amplitude (up to some maximum), increasing pulse width, increasingpulse frequency or other adjustment that causes a relatively strongercontraction, i.e., greater recruitment of the muscle being stimulated.Adjusting the intensity of the feedback or alert signal at block 720 mayalso be performed using sensor signal feedback control by returning toblock 708 to compare measured sensor signal characteristics to a nexthigher feedback or alert signal threshold level. In other words, thesensor signal is compared to a different, increased intensity, thresholdthan an initial threshold in order to control the feedback or alertsignal to elicit a stronger response as compared to the initial feedbackor alert signal settings. Thus for a given alert condition, multiplealert intensity levels may be stored in the telemetry system 32 memoryalong with multiple expected sensor signal responses or thresholds foreach intensity level. The sensor signal is used in a closed-loopfeedback method to adjust feedback or alert signal control parameters toachieve a feedback or alert signal with the desired intensity at eachlevel.

The feedback or alert signal may be delivered continuously, withcontinuous or stepwise increasing intensity according to a predefinedpattern, until either a maximum alert duration is reached or amonitoring device user or patient acknowledgment is received. In otherembodiments, a feedback or alert signal may be delivered intermittentlyuntil monitoring device user or patient acknowledgement or expiration ofa maximum feedback or alert signal duration, whichever occurs earlier.When delivered intermittently, the feedback or alert signal is deliveredat an initial intensity for a predefined alert interval. The feedback oralert signal is held at the current settings at block 714 until thealert interval has expired as determined at block 719. If the alertinterval expires, the intensity is increased at block 720 and thefeedback or alert signal is resumed for another feedback or alert signalinterval at block 721. A pause between differing feedback and alertsignal intensities may be applied. As a non-limiting example, thefeedback or alert signal may be delivered for a 30 second interval at aninitial intensity. This process may continue until a maximum alertduration is reached as determined at block 716, or monitoring deviceuser or patient acknowledgement is received at block 718.

As non-limiting examples, a maximum alert duration may be set at 5minutes, 10 minutes, 30 minutes, one hour or more and may be setdifferently for different alert conditions, e.g. according to theseriousness of a particular alert condition. Alert intervals appliedduring the maximum alert duration may be set differently for differentalert conditions and different alert intervals may be applied during agiven maximum alert duration. For example, the alert intervals mayincrease in length as feedback or alert signal intensity is increased.

The same is true relative to the amplitude and duration of the alertsignal.

If a maximum alert duration is not reached the alert is terminated atblock 722 and optionally repeated at a later time. As described above, amaximum alert duration may correspond to a continuously deliveredfeedback or alert signal, which may be increased in intensity accordingto a predefined pattern, or an intermittently delivered feedback oralert signal that includes successive intervals of increasing intensityof the feedback or alert signal with intervening pauses of no feedbackor alert signal.

In some embodiments, initial feedback or alert signal settings may be“learned” over time, based on a monitoring device user or patient'sresponse to prior alerting attempts. When a monitoring device user orpatient acknowledgement is received at block 718, the feedback or alertsignal control parameters are stored at block 723. These alert settingsmay be used as the initial feedback or alert signal settings the nexttime the same alert condition is detected (or another condition usingthe same feedback or alert signal). These stored settings can also beused for further analysis. In one embodiment, the user or patient canprovide input relative to the feedback or alert signal. This input canbe used to adjust the thresholds for the alerts. In this way, if aprevious alert was generated and no monitoring device user or patientacknowledgement occurred until a particular sensor signal amplitude orfrequency measurement was reached, the next time the alert is generated,the alert is delivered using a lower setting at which a monitoringdevice user or patient acknowledgement occurred to improveresponsiveness of the monitoring device user or patient to feedback oralert signals.

Adjustment of user or patient parameters at block 712, as the result ofan input provided by the user or patient can be provided for maintaininga feedback or alert signal within a targeted threshold level.

The monitoring device 10 and/or the telemetry system 32 can include afeedback loop. User and patient profiles can be stored in database 18,which can include a non-volatile memory. A user or patient can inputinformation 64 about the desired circumstances or parameters relative toa parameter that is measured by a sensor 14. The processor 20 and/or 34can include a variety of different user and patient profiles relating toinformation obtained from sensors 14. The processor 20 and/or 34 cancustomize by either scaling or modifying the user or patient profilebased on additional user or patient input information.

Furthermore, feedback or alert signals corresponding to different alertconditions may be distinguished by the monitoring device user or patientby delivering the feedback or alert signals to different body locations.When feedback or alert signals are delivered to different bodylocations, multiple sensors may be required in the telemetry system 32system such that a sensor signal responsive to alert stimulation at eachbody location is available. Depending on the number of body locationsand relative distance there between, one or more sensors may beimplanted in order to provide at least one sensor in operative relationto each of the targeted alert stimulation sites.

FIG. 22 is a flow chart, illustrating one embodiment for a method ofestablishing control parameters for a monitoring device user or patientfeedback or alert signal and a sensor signal threshold range for thefeedback or alert signal. At block 802, a set-up procedure is initiated.In one embodiment, this can be achieved using an external programmerhaving a user interface. In another embodiment, information from thetelemetry system database 18 that has been collected is utilized, alongwith any user or patient input. The process shown in flow chart 800 maybe performed at any time. In one embodiment, it is done at the time theuser or patient is connected to monitoring device 10. In anotherembodiment, it is done at a time subsequent the initial connection ofthe user or patient to the monitoring device 10. The process allows theestablishment alert conditions and corresponding feedback or alertsignals tailored to a particular monitoring device user or patient'sneeds. An alert condition is selected at block 804, which may be any ofthe parameters listed above, that receive input from a sensor 14. Alertconditions may be predefined or customized for a monitoring device useror patient.

At block 806, a feedback or alert signal pattern for the alert isselected from a person or from telemetry system database 18, and thelike, which may be a default pattern for a selected alert condition orcustomized using any combination signals from sensors 14. Variousparameters controlling the alert signal may be programmable.

Optionally, at block 808 a test signal is delivered to the monitoringdevice user or patient according to a selected sensor signal value. Inone embodiment, the sensor signal is measured during the test signal atblock 810, which may include measurements of both signal magnitude andfrequency characteristics. At block 812, the patient/user may optionallyprovide input to establish whether the test signal is adequatelyperceivable and distinct from any other feedback or alert signals thathave already been established. User or patient feedback may be receivedby a user interface included in a monitoring device 10, home monitor,device programmer, or other external device in communication with thetelemetry system 32. User or patient feedback may be received by avariety of different ways known in the art when the signal is acceptableor using a signal transmitted by telemetry system 32 or monitoringdevice 10. A feedback or alert signal may be unacceptable to themonitoring device user or patient.

If the signal is not acceptable to the monitoring device user orpatient, or not adequately measured by a sensor 14 to facilitateclosed-loop feedback of the signal, as determined at block 814, one ormore feedback or alert signal control parameters is adjusted at block816, and the process at blocks 808 through 814 repeats until anacceptable feedback or alert signal is established. The feedback oralert signal settings and the sensor signal characteristic(s) associatedwith the acceptable feedback or alert signal are stored at block 818 toestablish a threshold range of the magnitude and/or frequencycharacteristics of the sensor signal for the given feedback or alertsignal.

If additional alert conditions can be detected by the telemetry system32, as determined at block 820, a unique feedback or alert signalpattern can be selected for the next alert condition by returning toblock 804 and repeating the process shown in blocks 804 through 818.Each alert condition may be assigned a unique monitoring device user orpatient feedback or alert signal that is established by storing expectedsensor signal characteristics with corresponding feedback or alertsignal parameters. The monitoring device user or patient can providefeedback such that each feedback or alert signal is easily perceived,recognized and distinguished from other feedback or alert signals.

For each acceptable feedback or alert signal, a sensor threshold levelis established, which may include both a magnitude component and afrequency component. The stored sensor signal thresholds allow thefeedback or alert signal to be adjusted as needed during an actualmonitoring device user or patient alert to most closely match themagnitude and/or frequency characteristics of the established feedbackor alert signal. The monitoring device user or patient can be “trained”to recognize different feedback or alert signal patterns, intensities(strength or duration of the muscle response), and/or locations andtheir correspondence to different alert conditions.

Once all sensor-based threshold characteristics have been stored for allalert conditions, the process is terminated at block 822. The storedsensor signal data can then be used in a closed-loop feedback method forcontrolling feedback or alert signal stimulation parameters duringnormal operation of the telemetry system 32 as described in conjunctionwith FIG. 21.

As illustrated in FIG. 21, one or more analysis tools 724 at thetelemetry system 32 the user information and produces analysisinformation that is sent to the telemetry system 32. The one or moreanalysis tools 724 can be part of or separate from the database 18.

The database includes base standards for at least one of user,activities, behaviors, habit information and health information that isindicative of a healthy lifestyle of activities, behaviors, habitinformation, exercise programs and health condition. The userinformation received from the monitoring device 10 is analyzed relativeto the base standards in the database. In one embodiment, the basestandards in operation are updatable. The update information includesupdated base standards.

As set forth above, the monitoring device 10 generates data indicativeof various physiological parameters of an individual, as set forthabove, including but not limited to, the individual's heart rate, pulserate, beat-to-beat heart variability, EKG or ECG, respiration rate, skintemperature, core body temperature, heat flow off the body, galvanicskin response or GSR, EMG, EEG, EOG, blood pressure, body fat, hydrationlevel, activity level, oxygen consumption, glucose or blood sugar level,body position, pressure on muscles or bones, and UV radiationabsorption. In certain cases, the data indicative of the variousphysiological parameters is the signal or signals themselves generatedby the one or more sensors 14 and in certain other cases the data iscalculated by telemetry system 32. Methods for generating dataindicative of various physiological parameters and sensors to be usedtherefor are well known. Table 1 provides several examples of such wellknown methods and shows the parameter in question, the method used, thesensor device used, and the signal that is generated. Table 1 alsoprovides an indication as to whether further processing based on thegenerated signal is required to generate the data.

TABLE 1 Parameter Method Sensor Signal Processing Heart Rate EKG 2Electrodes DC Voltage Yes Pulse Rate BVP LED Emitter and Change inResistance Yes Optical Sensor Beat-to-Beat Heart Rate 2 Electrodes DCVoltage Yes Variability EKG Skin surface 3-10 electrodes DC Voltage Nopotentials Respiration Rate Chest Volume Strain Gauge Change inResistance Yes change Skin Temperature Surface Thermistors Change inResistance Yes temperature probe Core Temperature Esophageal orThermistors Change in Resistance Yes rectal probe Heat Flow Heat FluxThermopile DC Voltage Yes Galvanic Skin Skin Conductance 2 ElectrodesChange in Resistance No Response EMG Skin surface 3 electrodes DCVoltage No potentials EEG Skin surface Multiple electrodes DC VoltageYes potentials EOG Eye Movement Thin film DC Voltage Yes piezoelectricsensors Blood Pressure Non-invasive Electronic Change in Resistance YesKorotkuff sounds sphygromarometer Body Fat Body impedance 2 activeelectrodes Change in Resistance Yes Activity in Body movementAccelerometer DC Voltage, Yes Interpreted G capacitance changes shocksper minute Oxygen Oxygen update Electro-chemical DC Voltage Change YesConsumption Glucose Level Non-invasive Electro-chemical DC VoltageChange Yes Body position (e.g., N/A Mercury switch DC Voltage Change Yessupine, erect, sitting) Muscle pressure N/A Thin film DC Voltage ChangeYes piezoelectric sensors UV Radiation N/A UV Sensitive photo DC VoltageChange Yes Absorption cells

The types of data listed in Table 1 are intended to be examples of thetypes of data that can be generated by monitoring device 10. It is to beunderstood that other types of data relating to other parameters can begenerated by sensor device 10 without departing from the scope of thepresent invention.

Telemetry system 32 can be programmed to summarize and analyze the data.For example, processor 18 or 34 can be programmed to calculate anaverage, minimum or maximum heart rate or respiration rate over adefined period of time, such as ten minutes. Monitoring device 10 may beable to derive information relating to an individual's physiologicalstate based on the data indicative of one or more physiologicalparameters. Processor 18 or 34 can be programmed to derive suchinformation using known methods based on the data indicative of one ormore physiological parameters. Table 2 provides examples of the type ofinformation that can be derived, and indicates some of the types of datathat can be used therefor.

TABLE 2 Derived Information Data Used Ovulation Skin temperature, coretemperature, oxygen consumption Beat-to-beat variability, heart rate,pulse rate, respiration rate, skin temperature, core temperature, heatflow, galvanic skin response, EMG, EEG, EOG, blood pressure, oxygenconsumption Sleep onset/wake Beat-to-beat variability, heart rate, pulserate, respiration rate, skin temperature, core temperature, heat flow,galvanic skin response, EMG, EEG, EOG, blood pressure, oxygenconsumption Calories burned Heart rate, pulse rate, respiration rate,heat flow, activity, oxygen consumption Basal metabolic rate Heart rate,pulse rate, respiration rate, heat flow, activity, oxygen consumptionBasal temperature Skin temperature, core temperature Activity levelHeart rate, pulse rate, respiration rate, heat flow, activity, oxygenconsumption Stress level EKG, beat-to-beat variability, heart rate,pulse rate, respiration rate, skin temperature, heat flow, galvanic skinresponse, EMG, EEG, blood pressure, activity, oxygen consumption Maximumoxygen consumption rate EKG, heart rate, pulse rate, respiration rate,heat flow, blood pressure, activity, oxygen consumption Rise time or thetime it takes to rise from Heart rate, pulse rate, heat flow, oxygenconsumption a resting rate to 85% of a target maximum Time in zone orthe time heart rate was Heart rate, pulse rate, heat flow, oxygenconsumption above 85% of a target maximum Recovery time or the time ittakes heart Heart rate, pulse rate, heat flow, oxygen consumption rateto return to a resting rate after heart rate was above 85% of a targetmaximum

Additionally, monitoring device 10 with telemetry system 32 may alsogenerate data indicative of various contextual parameters relating tothe environment surrounding the individual. For example, monitoringdevice 10 can generate data indicative of the air quality, soundlevel/quality, light quality or ambient temperature near the individual,or even the global positioning of the individual. Sensor device 10 mayinclude one or more sensors for generating signals in response tocontextual characteristics relating to the environment surrounding theindividual, the signals ultimately being used to generate the type ofdata described above. Such sensors are well known, as are methods forgenerating contextual parametric data such as air quality, soundlevel/quality, ambient temperature and global positioning.

In addition to using monitoring device 10 to automatically collectphysiological data relating to an individual user, a kiosk could beadapted to collect such data by, for example, weighing the individual,providing a sensing device similar to monitoring device 10 on which anindividual places his or her hand or another part of his or her body, orby scanning the individual's body using, for example, laser technologyor an iStat blood analyzer. The kiosk would be provided with processingcapability as described herein and access to the relevant electronicnetwork, and would thus be adapted to send the collected data to thetelemetry system 32. A desktop sensing device, again similar tomonitoring device 10, on which an individual places his or her hand oranother part of his or her body, may also be provided. For example, sucha desktop sensing device could be a blood pressure monitor in which anindividual places his or her arm.

Furthermore, in addition to collecting data by automatically sensingsuch data in the manners described above, individuals can also manuallyprovide data relating to various life activities that is ultimatelytransferred to and stored at telemetry system 32 An individual user canaccess a web site maintained by monitoring system 32 and can directlyinput information relating to life activities by entering text freely,by responding to questions posed by the web site, or by clicking throughdialog boxes provided by the web site. Telemetry system 32 can also beadapted to periodically send electronic mail messages containingquestions designed to elicit information relating to life activities tomonitoring device 10, a mobile device, PC or to some other device thatcan receive electronic mail. The individual would then provide datarelating to life activities to telemetry system 32 by responding to theappropriate electronic mail message with the relevant data. Telemetrysystem 32 may also be adapted to place a telephone call to an individualuser in which certain questions would be posed to the individual user.The user could respond to the questions by entering information using atelephone keypad, or by voice, in which case conventional voicerecognition technology would be used by telemetry system 32 to receiveand process the response. The telephone call may also be initiated bythe user, in which case the user could speak to a person directly orenter information using the keypad or by voice/voice recognitiontechnology. Monitoring system 32 may also be given access to a source ofinformation controlled by the user, for example the user's electroniccalendar such as that provided with the Outlook® calendaring system soldby Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash., from which it couldautomatically collect information. The data relating to life activitiesmay relate to the eating, sleep, exercise, mind centering or relaxation,and/or daily living habits, patterns and/or activities of theindividual. Thus, sample questions may include: What did you have forlunch today? What time did you go to sleep last night? What time did youwake up this morning? How long did you run on the treadmill today?

Feedback may also be provided to a user directly through monitoringdevice 10 in a visual form, for example through an LED or LCD or byconstructing sensor device 10, at least in part, of a thermochromaticplastic, in the form of an acoustic signal or in the form of tactilefeedback such as vibration. Such feedback may be a reminder or an alertto eat a meal or take medication or a supplement such as a vitamin, toengage in an activity such as exercise or meditation, or to drink waterwhen a state of dehydration is detected. Additionally, a reminder oralert can be issued in the event that a particular physiologicalparameter such as ovulation has been detected, a level of caloriesburned during a workout has been achieved or a high heart rate orrespiration rate has been encountered.

As will be apparent to those of skill in the art, it may be possible to“download” data from monitoring system 32 to sensor device 10. The flowof data in such a download process would be substantially the reverse ofthat described above with respect to the upload of data monitoringdevice 10. Thus, it is possible that the firmware monitoring device 10can be updated or altered remotely, i.e., new firmware added, and thelike.

It is also contemplated that a user will input additional data during asession, for example, information relating to the user's eating orsleeping habits.

Data collected by monitoring device 10 can be periodically uploaded totelemetry system 32.

Third parties such as insurance companies or research institutions maybe given access, possibly for a fee, to certain of the informationstored in monitoring system 32.

When an individual user first becomes a registered user or member oftelemetry system, that user can complete a detailed survey. The purposesof the survey are to: identify unique characteristics/circumstances foreach user that they might need to address in order to maximize thelikelihood that they will implement and maintain a healthy lifestyle assuggested by telemetry system 32; gather baseline data which will beused to set initial goals for the individual user and facilitate thecalculation and display of certain graphical data output such as theHealth Index pistons; identify unique user characteristics andcircumstances that will help telemetry system 32 customize the type ofcontent provided to the user; and identify unique user characteristicsand circumstances that can guide the user to address as possiblebarriers to a healthy lifestyle through the problem-solving functionmonitoring system.

The specific information to be surveyed may include: key individualtemperamental characteristics, including activity level, regularity ofeating, sleeping, and bowel habits, initial response to situations,adaptability, persistence, threshold of responsiveness, intensity ofreaction, and quality of mood; the user's level of independentfunctioning, i.e., self-organization and management, socialization,memory, and academic achievement skills; the user's ability to focus andsustain attention, including the user's level of arousal, cognitivetempo, ability to filter distractions, vigilance, and self-monitoring;the user's current health status including current weight, height, andblood pressure, most recent general physician visit, gynecological exam,and other applicable physician/healthcare contacts, current medicationsand supplements, allergies, and a review of current symptoms and/orhealth-related behaviors; the user's past health history, i.e.,illnesses/surgeries, family history, and social stress events, such asdivorce or loss of a job, that have required adjustment by theindividual; the user's beliefs, values and opinions about healthpriorities, their ability to alter their behavior and, what mightcontribute to stress in their life, and how they manage it; the user'sdegree of self-awareness, empathy, empowerment, and self-esteem, and theuser's current daily routines for eating, sleeping, exercise, relaxationand completing activities of daily living; and the user's perception ofthe temperamental characteristics of two key persons in their life, forexample, their spouse, a friend, a co-worker, or their boss, and whetherthere are clashes present in their relationships that might interferewith a healthy lifestyle or contribute to stress.

Each member user can access, through a home web page of telemetry system32, to a series of web pages customized for that user, referred to asthe Health Manager. The opening Health Manager web page 950 is shown inFIG. 23. The Health Manager web pages are the main workspace area forthe member user. The Health Manager web pages comprise a utility throughwhich telemetry system 32 provides various types and forms of data,commonly referred to as analytical status data, to the user that isgenerated from the data it collects or generates, namely one or more of:the data indicative of various physiological parameters generated bymonitoring device 10; the data derived from the data indicative ofvarious physiological parameters; the data indicative of variouscontextual parameters generated by monitoring device 10; and the datainput by the user. Analytical status data is characterized by theapplication of certain utilities or algorithms to convert one or more ofthe data indicative of various physiological parameters generated bymonitoring device 10, the data derived from the data indicative ofvarious physiological parameters, the data indicative of variouscontextual parameters generated by monitoring device 10, and the datainput by the user into calculated health, wellness and lifestyleindicators. For example, based on data input by the user relating to thefoods he or she has eaten, things such as calories and amounts ofproteins, fats, carbohydrates, and certain vitamins can be calculated.As another example, skin temperature, heart rate, respiration rate, heatflow and/or GSR can be used to provide an indicator to the user of hisor her stress level over a desired time period. As still anotherexample, skin temperature, heat flow, beat-to-beat heart variability,heart rate, pulse rate, respiration rate, core temperature, galvanicskin response, EMG, EEG, EOG, blood pressure, oxygen consumption,ambient sound and body movement or motion as detected by a device suchas an accelerometer can be used to provide indicators to the user of hisor her sleep patterns over a desired time period.

Located on the opening Health Manager web page 950 is Health Index 955.Health Index 955 is a graphical utility used to measure and providefeedback to member users regarding their performance and the degree towhich they have succeeded in reaching a healthy daily routine suggestedby monitoring system 32. Health Index 955 thus provides an indicationfor the member user to track his or her progress. Health Index 955includes six categories relating to the user's health and lifestyle:Nutrition, Activity Level, Mind Centering, Sleep, Daily Activities andHow You Feel. The Nutrition category relates to what, when and how mucha person eats and drinks. The Activity Level category relates to howmuch a person moves around. The Mind Centering category relates to thequality and quantity of time a person spends engaging in some activitythat allows the body to achieve a state of profound relaxation while themind becomes highly alert and focused. The Sleep category relates to thequality and quantity of a person's sleep. The Daily Activities categoryrelates to the daily responsibilities and health risks people encounter.Finally, the How You Feel category relates to the general perceptionthat a person has about how they feel on a particular day. Each categoryhas an associated level indicator or piston that indicates, can be on ascale ranging from poor to excellent, how the user is performing withrespect to that category.

When each member user completes the initial survey described above, aprofile is generated that provides the user with a summary of his or herrelevant characteristics and life circumstances. A plan and/or set ofgoals are provided in the form of a suggested healthy daily routine. Thesuggested healthy daily routine may include any combination of specificsuggestions for incorporating proper nutrition, exercise, and mindcentering, sleep, and selected activities of daily living in the user'slife. Prototype schedules may be offered as guides for how thesesuggested activities can be incorporated into the user's life. The usermay periodically retake the survey, and based on the results, the itemsdiscussed above will be adjusted accordingly.

The Nutrition category is calculated from both data input by the userand sensed by monitoring device 10. The data input by the user comprisesthe time and duration of breakfast, lunch, dinner and any snacks, andthe foods eaten, the supplements such as vitamins that are taken, andthe water and other liquids consumed during a relevant, pre-selectedtime period. Based upon this data and on stored data relating to knownproperties of various foods, monitoring system 32 calculates well knownnutritional food values such as calories and amounts of proteins, fats,carbohydrates, vitamins, etc., consumed.

The Nutrition Health Index piston level can be determined with respectto the following suggested healthy daily routine: eat at least threemeals; eat a varied diet consisting of 6-11 servings of bread, pasta,cereal, and rice, 2-4 servings fruit, 3-5 servings of vegetables, 2-3servings of fish, meat, poultry, dry beans, eggs, and nuts, and 2-3servings of milk, yogurt and cheese; and drink 8 or more 8 ounce glassesof water. This routine may be adjusted based on information about theuser, such as sex, age, height and/or weight. Certain nutritionaltargets may also be set by the user or for the user, relating to dailycalories, protein, fiber, fat, carbohydrates, and/or water consumptionand percentages of total consumption. Parameters utilized in thecalculation of the relevant piston level include the number of meals perday, the number of glasses of water, and the types and amounts of foodeaten each day as input by the user.

Nutritional information is presented to the user through nutrition webpage 960 as shown in FIG. 24. The preferred nutritional web page 960includes nutritional fact charts 965 and 970 which illustrate actual andtarget nutritional facts, respectively as pie charts, and nutritionalintake charts 975 and 980 which show total actual nutritional intake andtarget nutritional intake, respectively as pie charts. Nutritional factcharts 965 and 970 preferably show a percentage breakdown of items suchas carbohydrates, protein and fat, and nutritional intake charts 975 and980 are preferably broken down to show components such as total andtarget calories, fat, carbohydrates, protein, and vitamins. Web page 960also includes meal and water consumption tracking 985 with time entries,hyperlinks 990 which allow the user to directly access nutrition-relatednews items and articles, suggestions for refining or improving dailyroutine with respect to nutrition and affiliate advertising elsewhere onthe network, and calendar 995 for choosing between views having variableand selectable time periods. The items shown at 990 may be selected andcustomized based on information learned about the individual in thesurvey and on their performance as measured by the Health Index.

The Activity Level category of Health Index 955 is designed to helpusers monitor how and when they move around during the day and utilizesboth data input by the user and data sensed by monitoring device 10. Thedata input by the user may include details regarding the user's dailyactivities, for example the fact that the user worked at a desk from 8a.m. to 5 p.m. and then took an aerobics class from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.Relevant data sensed by monitoring device 10 may include heart rate,movement as sensed by a device such as an accelerometer, heat flow,respiration rate, calories burned, GSR and hydration level, which may bederived by monitoring device 10 or telemetry system 32. Calories burnedmay be calculated in a variety of manners, including: the multiplicationof the type of exercise input by the user by the duration of exerciseinput by the user; sensed motion multiplied by time of motion multipliedby a filter constant; or sensed heat flux multiplied by time multipliedby a filter constant.

The Activity Level Health Index piston level is preferably determinedwith respect to a suggested healthy daily routine that includes:exercising aerobically for a pre-set time period, preferably 20 minutes,or engaging in a vigorous lifestyle activity for a pre-set time period,preferably one hour, and burning at least a minimum target number ofcalories, preferably 205 calories, through the aerobic exercise and/orlifestyle activity. The minimum target number of calories may be setaccording to information about the user, such as sex, age, height and/orweight. Parameters utilized in the calculation of the relevant pistonlevel include the amount of time spent exercising aerobically orengaging in a vigorous lifestyle activity as input by the user and/orsensed by monitoring device 10, and the number of calories burned abovepre-calculated energy expenditure parameters.

Information regarding the individual user's movement is presented to theuser through activity level web page 1000 shown in FIG. 25, which mayinclude activity graph 1005 in the form of a bar graph, for monitoringthe individual user's activities in one of three categories: high,medium and low intensity with respect to a pre-selected unit of time.Activity percentage chart 1010, in the form or a pie chart, may also beprovided for showing the percentage of a pre-selected time period, suchas one day, that the user spent in each category. Activity level webpage 1000 may also include calorie section 1015 for displaying itemssuch as total calories burned, daily target calories burned, totalcaloric intake, and duration of aerobic activity. Finally, activitylevel web page 1000 may include at least one hyperlink 1020 to allow auser to directly access relevant news items and articles, suggestionsfor refining or improving daily routine with respect to activity leveland affiliate advertising elsewhere on the network. Activity level webpage 1000 may be viewed in a variety of formats, and may includeuser-selectable graphs and charts such as a bar graph, pie chart, orboth, as selectable by Activity level check boxes 1025. Activity levelcalendar 1030 is provided for selecting among views having variable andselectable time periods. The items shown at 1020 may be selected andcustomized based on information learned about the individual in thesurvey and on their performance as measured by the Health Index.

The Mind Centering category of Health Index 955 is designed to helpusers monitor the parameters relating to time spent engaging in certainactivities which allow the body to achieve a state of profoundrelaxation while the mind becomes focused, and is based upon both datainput by the user and data sensed by the monitoring device 10. Inparticular, a user may input the beginning and end times of relaxationactivities such as yoga or meditation. The quality of those activitiesas determined by the depth of a mind centering event can be measured bymonitoring parameters including skin temperature, heart rate,respiration rate, and heat flow as sensed by monitoring device 10.Percent change in GSR as derived either by monitoring device 10 ormonitoring system 32 may also be utilized.

The Mind Centering Health Index piston level is preferably calculatedwith respect to a suggested healthy daily routine that includesparticipating each day in an activity that allows the body to achieveprofound relaxation while the mind stays highly focused for at leastfifteen minutes. Parameters utilized in the calculation of the relevantpiston level include the amount of time spent in a mind centeringactivity, and the percent change in skin temperature, heart rate,respiration rate, heat flow or GSR as sensed by monitoring device 10compared to a baseline which is an indication of the depth or quality ofthe mind centering activity.

Information regarding the time spent on self-reflection and relaxationis presented to the user through mind centering web page 1050 shown inFIG. 26. For each mind centering activity, referred to as a session, thepreferred mind centering web page 1050 includes the time spent duringthe session, shown at 1055, the target time, shown at 1060, comparisonsection 1065 showing target and actual depth of mind centering, orfocus, and a histogram 1070 that shows the overall level of stressderived from such things as skin temperature, heart rate, respirationrate, heat flow and/or GSR. In comparison section 1065, the human figureoutline showing target focus is solid, and the human figure outlineshowing actual focus ranges from fuzzy to solid depending on the levelof focus. The preferred mind centering web page may also include anindication of the total time spent on mind centering activities, shownat 1075, hyperlinks 1080 which allow the user to directly accessrelevant news items and articles, suggestions for refining or improvingdaily routine with respect to mind centering and affiliate advertising,and a calendar 1085 for choosing among views having variable andselectable time periods. The items shown at 1080 may be selected andcustomized based on information learned about the individual in thesurvey and on their performance as measured by the Health Index.

The Sleep category of Health Index 955 is designed to help users monitortheir sleep patterns and the quality of their sleep. It is intended tohelp users learn about the importance of sleep in their healthylifestyle and the relationship of sleep to circadian rhythms, being thenormal daily variations in body functions. The Sleep category is basedupon both data input by the user and data sensed by monitoring device10. The data input by the user for each relevant time interval includesthe times the user went to sleep and woke up and a rating of the qualityof sleep. The data from monitoring device 10 that is relevant includesskin temperature, heat flow, beat-to-beat heart variability, heart rate,pulse rate, respiration rate, core temperature, galvanic skin response,EMG, EEG, EOG, blood pressure, and oxygen consumption. Also relevant isambient sound and body movement or motion as detected by a device suchas an accelerometer. This data can then be used to calculate or derivesleep onset and wake time, sleep interruptions, and the quality anddepth of sleep.

The Sleep Health Index piston level is determined with respect to ahealthy daily routine including getting a minimum amount, preferablyeight hours, of sleep each night and having a predictable bed time andwake time. The specific parameters which determine the piston levelcalculation include the number of hours of sleep per night and the bedtime and wake time as sensed by monitoring device 10 or as input by theuser, and the quality of the sleep as rated by the user or derived fromother data.

Information regarding sleep is presented to the user through sleep webpage 1090 shown in FIG. 27. Sleep web page 1090 includes a sleepduration indicator 1095, based on either data from monitoring device 10or on data input by the user, together with user sleep time indicator1100 and wake time indicator 1105. A quality of sleep rating 1110 inputby the user may also be utilized and displayed. If more than a one daytime interval is being displayed on sleep web page 1090, then sleepduration indicator 1095 is calculated and displayed as a cumulativevalue, and sleep time indicator 1100, wake time indicator 1105 andquality of sleep rating 1110 are calculated and illustrated as averages.Sleep web page 1090 also includes a user-selectable sleep graph 1115which calculates and displays one sleep related parameter over apre-selected time interval. For illustrative purposes, FIG. 27 showsheat flow over a one-day period, which tends to be lower during sleepinghours and higher during waking hours. From this information, a person'sbiorhythms can be derived. Sleep graph 1115 may also include a graphicalrepresentation of data from an accelerometer incorporated in monitoringdevice 10 which monitors the movement of the body. The sleep web page1090 may also include hyperlinks 1120 which allow the user to directlyaccess sleep related news items and articles, suggestions for refiningor improving daily routine with respect to sleep and affiliateadvertising available elsewhere on the network, and a sleep calendar1125 for choosing a relevant time interval. The items shown at 1120 maybe selected and customized based on information learned about theindividual in the survey and on their performance as measured by theHealth Index.

The Activities of Daily Living category of Health Index 955 is designedto help users monitor certain health and safety related activities andrisks and is based entirely on data input by the user. The Activities ofDaily Living category is divided into four sub-categories: personalhygiene, which allows the user to monitor activities such as brushingand flossing his or her teeth and showering; health maintenance, thattracks whether the user is taking prescribed medication or supplementsand allows the user to monitor tobacco and alcohol consumption andautomobile safety such as seat belt use; personal time, that allows theuser to monitor time spent socially with family and friends, leisure,and mind centering activities; and responsibilities, that allows theuser to monitor certain work and financial activities such as payingbills and household chores.

The Activities of Daily Living Health Index piston level is preferablydetermined with respect to the healthy daily routine described below.With respect to personal hygiene, the routine requires that the usersshower or bathe each day, brush and floss teeth each day, and maintainregular bowel habits. With respect to health maintenance, the routinerequires that the user take medications and vitamins and/or supplements,use a seat belt, refrain from smoking, drink moderately, and monitorhealth each day with the Health Manager. With respect to personal time,the routine requires the users to spend at least one hour of qualitytime each day with family and/or friends, restrict work time to amaximum of nine hours a day, spend some time on leisure or play activityeach day, and engage in a mind stimulating activity. With respect toresponsibilities, the routine requires the users to do household chores,pay bills, be on time for work, and keep appointments. The piston levelis calculated based on the degree to which the user completes a list ofdaily activities as determined by information input by the user.

Information relating to these activities is presented to the userthrough daily activities web page 1130 shown in FIG. 28. In preferreddaily activities web page 1130, activities chart 1135, selectable forone or more of the sub-categories, shows whether the user has done whatis required by the daily routine. A colored or shaded box indicates thatthe user has done the required activity, and an empty, non-colored orshaded box indicates that the user has not done the activity. Activitieschart 1135 can be created and viewed in selectable time intervals. Forillustrative purposes, FIG. 28 shows the personal hygiene and personaltime sub-categories for a particular week. In addition, daily activitiesweb page 1130 may include daily activity hyperlinks 1140 which allow theuser to directly access relevant news items and articles, suggestionsfor improving or refining daily routine with respect to activities ofdaily living and affiliate advertising, and a daily activities calendar1145 for selecting a relevant time interval. The items shown at 1140 maybe selected and customized based on information learned about theindividual in the survey and on their performance as measured by theHealth Index.

The How You Feel category of Health Index 955 is designed to allow usersto monitor their perception of how they felt on a particular day, and isbased on information, essentially a subjective rating, that is inputdirectly by the user. A user provides a rating, preferably on a scale of1 to 5, with respect to the following nine subject areas: mentalsharpness; emotional and psychological wellbeing; energy level; abilityto cope with life stresses; appearance; physical wellbeing;self-control; motivation; and comfort in relating to others. Thoseratings are averaged and used to calculate the relevant piston level.

Referring to FIG. 29, Health Index web page 1150 is shown. Health Indexweb page 1150 enables users to view the performance of their HealthIndex over a user selectable time interval including any number ofconsecutive or non-consecutive days. Using Health Index selector buttons1160, the user can select to view the Health Index piston levels for onecategory, or can view a side-by-side comparison of the Health Indexpiston levels for two or more categories. For example, a user might wantto just turn on Sleep to see if their overall sleep rating improved overthe previous month, much in the same way they view the performance oftheir favorite stock. Alternatively, Sleep and Activity Level might besimultaneously displayed in order to compare and evaluate Sleep ratingswith corresponding Activity Level ratings to determine if any day-todaycorrelations exist. Nutrition ratings might be displayed with How YouFeel for a pre-selected time interval to determine if any correlationexists between daily eating habits and how they felt during thatinterval. For illustrative purposes, FIG. 11 illustrates a comparison ofSleep and Activity Level piston levels for the week of June 10 throughJune 16. Health Index web page 1150 also includes tracking calculator1165 that displays access information and statistics such as the totalnumber of days the user has logged in and used the Health Manager, thepercentage of days the user has used the Health Manager since becoming asubscriber, and percentage of time the user has used the monitoringdevice 10 to gather data.

Referring again to FIG. 23, opening Health Manager web page 950 mayinclude a plurality of user selectable category summaries 956 a through956 f, one corresponding to each of the Health Index 955 categories.Each category summary 956 a through 956 f presents a pre-selectedfiltered subset of the data associated with the corresponding category.Nutrition category summary 956 a displays daily target and actualcaloric intake. Activity Level category summary 956 b displays dailytarget and actual calories burned. Mind Centering category summary 956 cdisplays target and actual depth of mind centering or focus. Sleepcategory summary 956 d displays target sleep, actual sleep, and a sleepquality rating. Daily Activities category summary 956 e displays atarget and actual score based on the percentage of suggested dailyactivities that are completed. The How You Feel category summary 956 fshows a target and actual rating for the day.

Opening Health Manager web page 950 also may include Daily Dose section957 which provides, on a daily time interval basis, information to theuser, including, but not limited to, hyperlinks to news items andarticles, commentary and reminders to the user based on tendencies, suchas poor nutritional habits, determined from the initial survey. Thecommentary for Daily Dose 957 may, for example, be a factual statementthat drinking 8 glasses of water a day can reduce the risk of coloncancer by as much as 32%, accompanied by a suggestion to keep a cup ofwater by your computer or on your desk at work and refill often. OpeningHealth Manager web page 950 also may include a Problem Solver section958 that actively evaluates the user's performance in each of thecategories of Health Index 955 and presents suggestions for improvement.For example, if the system detects that a user's Sleep levels have beenlow, which suggest that the user has been having trouble sleeping,Problem Solver 958 can provide suggestions for way to improve sleep.Problem Solver 958 also may include the capability of user questionsregarding improvements in performance. Opening Health Manager web page950 may also include a Daily Data section 959 that launches an inputdialog box. The input dialog box facilitates input by the user of thevarious data required by the Health Manager. As is known in the art,data entry may be in the form of selection from pre-defined lists orgeneral free form text input. Finally, opening Health Manager web page950 may include Body Stats section 961 which may provide informationregarding the user's height, weight, body measurements, body mass indexor BMI, and vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure or any of theidentified physiological parameters.

FIG. 30 is a block diagram illustrating embodiments of a mobile device1200 for obtaining monitored information about an individual. The mobiledevice 1200 can include a display 1212 that can be a touch sensitivedisplay. In one embodiment, the mobile device 1200 is monitoring device10 with mobile device components, and is used for obtaining monitoredinformation about an individual. The touch-sensitive display 1212 issometimes called a “touch screen” for convenience, and may also be knownas or called a touch-sensitive display system. The mobile device 1200may include a memory 1202 (which may include one or more computerreadable storage mediums), a memory controller 1222, one or moreprocessing units (CPU's) 1220, a peripherals interface 1218, NetworkSystems circuitry 1208, including but not limited to RF circuitry, audiocircuitry 1210, a speaker 1211, a microphone 1213, an input/output (I/O)subsystem 1206, other input or control devices 1216, and an externalport 124. The mobile device 1200 may include one or more optical sensors1264. These components may communicate over one or more communicationbuses or signal lines 1203.

It should be appreciated that the mobile device 1200 is only one exampleof a portable multifunction mobile device 1200, and that the mobiledevice 1200 may have more or fewer components than shown, may combinetwo or more components, or a may have a different configuration orarrangement of the components. The various components shown in FIG. 30may be implemented in hardware, software or a combination of bothhardware and software, including one or more signal processing and/orapplication specific integrated circuits.

Memory 1202 may include high-speed random access memory and may alsoinclude non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storagedevices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid-state memorydevices. Access to memory 1202 by other components of the mobile device1200, such as the CPU 1220 and the peripherals interface 1218, may becontrolled by the memory controller 1222.

The peripherals interface 1218 couples the input and output peripheralsof the device to the CPU 1220 and memory 1202. The one or moreprocessors 1220 run or execute various software programs and/or sets ofinstructions stored in memory 1202 to perform various functions for themobile device 1200 and to process data.

In some embodiments, the peripherals interface 1218, the CPU 1220, andthe memory controller 1222 may be implemented on a single chip, such asa chip 1204. In some other embodiments, they may be implemented onseparate chips.

The Network System circuitry 1208 receives and sends signals, includingbut not limited to RF, also called electromagnetic signals. The NetworkSystem circuitry 1208 converts electrical signals to/fromelectromagnetic signals and communicates with communications networksand other communications devices via the electromagnetic signals. TheNetwork Systems circuitry 1208 may include well-known circuitry forperforming these functions, including but not limited to an antennasystem, an RF transceiver, one or more amplifiers, a tuner, one or moreoscillators, a digital signal processor, a CODEC chipset, a subscriberidentity module (SIM) card, memory, and so forth. The Network Systemscircuitry 1208 may communicate with networks, such as the Internet, alsoreferred to as the World Wide Web (WWW), an intranet and/or a wirelessnetwork, such as a cellular telephone network, a wireless local areanetwork (LAN) and/or a metropolitan area network (MAN), and otherdevices by wireless communication. The wireless communication may useany of a plurality of communications standards, protocols andtechnologies, including but not limited to Global System for MobileCommunications (GSM), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), high-speeddownlink packet access (HSDPA), wideband code division multiple access(W-CDMA), code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multipleaccess (TDMA), BLUETOOTH®, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) (e.g., IEEE802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g and/or IEEE 802.11n), voice overInternet Protocol (VoIP), Wi-MAX, a protocol for email (e.g., Internetmessage access protocol (IMAP) and/or post office protocol (POP)),instant messaging (e.g., extensible messaging and presence protocol(XMPP), Session Initiation Protocol for Instant Messaging and PresenceLeveraging Extensions (SIMPLE), and/or Instant Messaging and PresenceService (IMPS)), and/or Short Message Service (SMS)), or any othersuitable communication protocol, including communication protocols notyet developed as of the filing date of this document.

The audio circuitry 1210, the speaker 1211, and the microphone 1213provide an audio interface between a user and the mobile device 1200.The audio circuitry 1210 receives audio data from the peripheralsinterface 1218, converts the audio data to an electrical signal, andtransmits the electrical signal to the speaker 1211. The speaker 1211converts the electrical signal to human-audible sound waves. The audiocircuitry 1210 also receives electrical signals converted by themicrophone 1213 from sound waves. The audio circuitry 1210 converts theelectrical signal to audio data and transmits the audio data to theperipherals interface 1218 for processing. Audio data may be retrievedfrom and/or transmitted to memory 1202 and/or the Network Systemscircuitry 1208 by the peripherals interface 1218. In some embodiments,the audio circuitry 1210 also includes a headset jack (e.g. 1212, FIG.31). The headset jack provides an interface between the audio circuitry1210 and removable audio input/output peripherals, such as output-onlyheadphones or a headset with both output (e.g., a headphone for one orboth ears) and input (e.g., a microphone).

The I/O subsystem 1206 couples input/output peripherals on the mobiledevice 1200, such as the touch screen 1212 and other input/controldevices 1216, to the peripherals interface 1218. The I/O subsystem 1206may include a display controller 1256 and one or more input controllers1260 for other input or control devices. The one or more inputcontrollers 1260 receive/send electrical signals from/to other input orcontrol devices 1216. The other input/control devices 1216 may includephysical buttons (e.g., push buttons, rocker buttons, etc.), dials,slider switches, joysticks, click wheels, and so forth. In somealternate embodiments, input controller(s) 1260 may be coupled to any(or none) of the following: a keyboard, infrared port, USB port, and apointer device such as a mouse. The one or more buttons (e.g., 1208,FIG. 31) may include an up/down button for volume control of the speaker1211 and/or the microphone 1213. The one or more buttons may include apush button (e.g., 206, FIG. 31). A quick press of the push button maydisengage a lock of the touch screen 1212 or begin a process that usesgestures on the touch screen to unlock the device, as described in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/322,549, “Unlocking a Device byPerforming Gestures on an Unlock Image,” filed Dec. 23, 2005, which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. A longer press of thepush button may turn power to the mobile device 1200 on or off. The usermay be able to customize a functionality of one or more of the buttons.The touch screen 1212 is used to implement virtual or soft buttons andone or more soft keyboards.

The touch-sensitive touch screen 1212 provides an input interface and anoutput interface between the device and a user. The display controller1256 receives and/or sends electrical signals from/to the touch screen1212. The touch screen 1212 displays visual output to the user. Thevisual output may include graphics, text, icons, video, and anycombination thereof (collectively termed “graphics”). In someembodiments, some or all of the visual output may correspond touser-interface objects, further details of which are described below.

A touch screen 1212 has a touch-sensitive surface, sensor or set ofsensors that accepts input from the user based on haptic and/or tactilecontact. The touch screen 1212 and the display controller 1256 (alongwith any associated modules and/or sets of instructions in memory 1202)detect contact (and any movement or breaking of the contact) on thetouch screen 1212 and converts the detected contact into interactionwith user-interface objects (e.g., one or more soft keys, icons, webpages or images) that are displayed on the touch screen. In an exemplaryembodiment, a point of contact between a touch screen 1212 and the usercorresponds to a finger of the user.

The touch screen 1212 may use LCD (liquid crystal display) technology,or LPD (light emitting polymer display) technology, although otherdisplay technologies may be used in other embodiments. The touch screen1212 and the display controller 1256 may detect contact and any movementor breaking thereof using any of a plurality of touch sensingtechnologies now known or later developed, including but not limited tocapacitive, resistive, infrared, and surface acoustic wave technologies,as well as other proximity sensor arrays or other elements fordetermining one or more points of contact with a touch screen 1212.

A touch-sensitive display in some embodiments of the touch screen 1212may be analogous to the multi-touch sensitive tablets described in thefollowing U.S. Pat. No. 6,323,846 (Westerman et al.), U.S. Pat. No.6,570,557 (Westerman et al.), and/or U.S. Pat. No. 6,677,932(Westerman), and/or U.S. Patent Publication 2002/0015024A1, each ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. However, atouch screen 1212 displays visual output from the portable mobile device1200, whereas touch sensitive tablets do not provide visual output.

A touch-sensitive display in some embodiments of the touch screen 1212may be as described in the following applications: (1) U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/381,313, “Multipoint Touch Surface Controller,”filed May 2, 2006; (2) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/840,862,“Multipoint Touchscreen,” filed May 6, 2004; (3) U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/903,964, “Gestures For Touch Sensitive Input Devices,” filedJul. 30, 2004; (4) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/048,264,“Gestures For Touch Sensitive Input Devices,” filed Jan. 31, 2005; (5)U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/038,590, “Mode-Based Graphical UserInterfaces For Touch Sensitive Input Devices,” filed Jan. 18, 2005; (6)U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/228,758, “Virtual Input DevicePlacement On A Touch Screen User Interface,” filed Sep. 16, 2005; (7)U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/228,700, “Operation Of A ComputerWith A Touch Screen Interface,” filed Sep. 16, 2005; (8) U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/228,737, “Activating Virtual Keys Of ATouch-Screen Virtual Keyboard,” filed Sep. 16, 2005; and (9) U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/367,749, “Multi-Functional Hand-Held Device,”filed Mar. 3, 2006. All of these applications are incorporated byreference herein in their entirety.

The touch screen 1212 may have a resolution in excess of 1000 dpi. In anexemplary embodiment, the touch screen has a resolution of approximately1060 dpi. The user may make contact with the touch screen 1212 using anysuitable object or appendage, such as a stylus, a finger, and so forth.In some embodiments, the user interface is designed to work primarilywith finger-based contacts and gestures, which are much less precisethan stylus-based input due to the larger area of contact of a finger onthe touch screen. In some embodiments, the device translates the roughfinger-based input into a precise pointer/cursor position or command forperforming the actions desired by the user.

In some embodiments, in addition to the touch screen, the mobile device1200 may include a touchpad (not shown) for activating or deactivatingparticular functions. In some embodiments, the touchpad is atouch-sensitive area of the device that, unlike the touch screen, doesnot display visual output. The touchpad may be a touch-sensitive surfacethat is separate from the touch screen 1212 or an extension of thetouch-sensitive surface formed by the touch screen.

In some embodiments, the mobile device 1200 may include a physical orvirtual click wheel as an input control device 1216. A user may navigateamong and interact with one or more graphical objects (henceforthreferred to as icons) displayed in the touch screen 1212 by rotating theclick wheel or by moving a point of contact with the click wheel (e.g.,where the amount of movement of the point of contact is measured by itsangular displacement with respect to a center point of the click wheel).The click wheel may also be used to select one or more of the displayedicons. For example, the user may press down on at least a portion of theclick wheel or an associated button. User commands and navigationcommands provided by the user via the click wheel may be processed by aninput controller 1260 as well as one or more of the modules and/or setsof instructions in memory 1202. For a virtual click wheel, the clickwheel and click wheel controller may be part of the touch screen 1212and the display controller 1256, respectively. For a virtual clickwheel, the click wheel may be either an opaque or semitransparent objectthat appears and disappears on the touch screen display in response touser interaction with the device. In some embodiments, a virtual clickwheel is displayed on the touch screen of a portable multifunctiondevice and operated by user contact with the touch screen.

The mobile device 1200 also includes a power system 1262 for poweringthe various components. The power system 1262 may include a powermanagement system, one or more power sources (e.g., battery 24,alternating current (AC)), a recharging system, a power failuredetection circuit, a power converter or inverter, a power statusindicator (e.g., a light-emitting diode (LED)) and any other componentsassociated with the generation, management and distribution of power inportable devices.

The mobile device 1200 may also include one or more sensors 14,including not limited to optical sensors 1264. FIG. 30 illustrates howan optical sensor coupled to an optical sensor controller 1258 in I/Osubsystem 1206. The optical sensor 1264 may include charge-coupleddevice (CCD) or complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)phototransistors. The optical sensor 1264 receives light from theenvironment, projected through one or more lens, and converts the lightto data representing an image. In conjunction with an imaging module1243 (also called a camera module), the optical sensor 1264 may capturestill images or video. In some embodiments, an optical sensor is locatedon the back of the mobile device 1200, opposite the touch screen display1212 on the front of the device, so that the touch screen display may beused as a viewfinder for either still and/or video image acquisition. Insome embodiments, an optical sensor is located on the front of thedevice so that the user's image may be obtained for videoconferencingwhile the user views the other video conference participants on thetouch screen display. In some embodiments, the position of the opticalsensor 1264 can be changed by the user (e.g., by rotating the lens andthe sensor in the device housing) so that a single optical sensor 1264may be used along with the touch screen display for both videoconferencing and still and/or video image acquisition.

The mobile device 1200 may also include one or more proximity sensors1266. In one embodiment, the proximity sensor 1266 is coupled to theperipherals interface 1218. Alternately, the proximity sensor 1266 maybe coupled to an input controller 1260 in the I/O subsystem 1206. Theproximity sensor 1266 may perform as described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/241,839, “Proximity Detector In HandheldDevice,” filed Sep. 30, 2005; Ser. No. 11/240,788, “Proximity DetectorIn Handheld Device,” filed Sep. 30, 2005; Ser. No. 11/620,702, “UsingAmbient Light Sensor To Augment Proximity Sensor Output”; Ser. No.11/586,862, “Automated Response To And Sensing Of User Activity InPortable Devices,” filed Oct. 24, 2006; and Ser. No. 11/638,251,“Methods And Systems For Automatic Configuration Of Peripherals,” whichare hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. In someembodiments, the proximity sensor turns off and disables the touchscreen 1212 when the multifunction device is placed near the user's ear(e.g., when the user is making a phone call). In some embodiments, theproximity sensor keeps the screen off when the device is in the user'spocket, purse, or other dark area to prevent unnecessary batterydrainage when the device is a locked state.

The mobile device 1200 may also include one or more accelerometers 1268.FIG. 30 shows an accelerometer 1268 coupled to the peripherals interface1218. Alternately, the accelerometer 1268 may be coupled to an inputcontroller 1260 in the I/O subsystem 1206. The accelerometer 1268 mayperform as described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 20050190059,“Acceleration-based Theft Detection System for Portable ElectronicDevices,” and U.S. Patent Publication No. 20060017692, “Methods AndApparatuses For Operating A Portable Device Based On An Accelerometer,”both of which are which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.In some embodiments, information is displayed on the touch screendisplay in a portrait view or a landscape view based on an analysis ofdata received from the one or more accelerometers.

In some embodiments, the software components stored in memory 1202 mayinclude an operating system 1226, a communication module (or set ofinstructions) 1228, a contact/motion module (or set of instructions)1230, a graphics module (or set of instructions) 1232, a text inputmodule (or set of instructions) 1234, a Global Positioning System (GPS)module (or set of instructions) 1235, and applications (or set ofinstructions) 1236.

The operating system 1226 (e.g., Darwin, RTXC, LINUX, UNIX, OS X,WINDOWS, or an embedded operating system such as VxWorks) includesvarious software components and/or drivers for controlling and managinggeneral system tasks (e.g., memory management, storage device control,power management, etc.) and facilitates communication between varioushardware and software components.

The communication module 1228 facilitates communication with otherdevices over one or more external ports 1224 and also includes varioussoftware components for handling data received by the Network Systemscircuitry 1208 and/or the external port 1224. The external port 1224(e.g., Universal Serial Bus (USB), FIREWIRE, etc.) is adapted forcoupling directly to other devices or indirectly over a network (e.g.,the Internet, wireless LAN, etc.). In some embodiments, the externalport is a multi-pin (e.g., 30-pin) connector that is the same as, orsimilar to and/or compatible with the 30-pin connector used on iPod(trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.) devices.

The contact/motion module 1230 may detect contact with the touch screen1212 (in conjunction with the display controller 1256) and other touchsensitive devices (e.g., a touchpad or physical click wheel). Thecontact/motion module 1230 includes various software components forperforming various operations related to detection of contact, such asdetermining if contact has occurred, determining if there is movement ofthe contact and tracking the movement across the touch screen 1212, anddetermining if the contact has been broken (i.e., if the contact hasceased). Determining movement of the point of contact may includedetermining speed (magnitude), velocity (magnitude and direction),and/or an acceleration (a change in magnitude and/or direction) of thepoint of contact. These operations may be applied to single contacts(e.g., one finger contacts) or to multiple simultaneous contacts (e.g.,“multitouch”/multiple finger contacts). In some embodiments, thecontact/motion module 1230 and the display controller 1256 also detectscontact on a touchpad. In some embodiments, the contact/motion module1230 and the controller 1260 detects contact on a click wheel.

The graphics module 1232 includes various known software components forrendering and displaying graphics on the touch screen 1212, includingcomponents for changing the intensity of graphics that are displayed. Asused herein, the term “graphics” includes any object that can bedisplayed to a user, including without limitation text, web pages, icons(such as user-interface objects including soft keys), digital images,videos, animations and the like. An animation in this context is adisplay of a sequence of images that gives the appearance of movement,and informs the user of an action that has been performed (such asmoving an email message to a folder). In this context, a respectiveanimation that confirms an action by the user of the device typicallytakes a predefined, finite amount of time, such as an amount of timebetween 0.2 and 10.0 seconds, or between 0.5 and 2.0 seconds, dependingon the context.

The text input module 1234, which may be a component of graphics module1232, provides soft keyboards for entering text in various applications(e.g., contacts 1237, e-mail 1240, IM 1241, blogging 1242, browser 1247,and any other application that needs text input).

The GPS module 1235 determines the location of the device and providesthis information for use in various applications (e.g., to telephone1238 for use in location-based dialing, to camera 1243 and/or blogger1242 as picture/video metadata, and to applications that providelocation-based services such as weather widgets, local yellow pagewidgets, and map/navigation widgets).

The applications 1236 may include the following modules (or sets ofinstructions), or subset or superset thereof: contacts module 1237(sometimes called an address book or contact list); telephone module1238; video conferencing module 1239; mail client module 1240; aninstant messaging (IM) module 1241; blogging module 1242; a cameramodule 1243 for still and/or video images; image management module 1244;video player module 1245; music player module 1246; browser module 1247;c lend r module 1248; widget modules 1249, which m y include weatherwidget 1249-1, stocks widget 1249-2, calculator widget 1249-3, alarmclock widget 1249-4, dictionary widget 1249-5, and other widgetsobtained by the user, as well as user-created widgets 1249-6; widgetcreator module 1250 for making user-created widgets 1249-6; searchmodule 1251; video and music player module 1252, which merges videoplayer module 1245 and music player module 1246; notes module 1253;and/or map module 1254.

Examples of other applications 1236 that may be stored in memory 1202include other word processing applications, JAVA-enabled applications,encryption, digital rights management, voice recognition, and voicereplication.

In conjunction with touch screen 1212, display controller 1256, contactmodule 1230, graphics module 1232, and text input module 1234, thecontacts module 1237 may be used to manage an address book or contactlist, including: adding name(s) to the address book; deleting name(s)from the address book; associating telephone number(s), e-mailaddress(es), physical address(es) or other information with a name;associating an image with a name; categorizing and sorting names;providing telephone numbers or e-mail addresses to initiate and/orfacilitate communications by telephone 1238, video conference 1239,e-mail 1240, or IM 1241; and so forth. Embodiments of user interfacesand associated processes using contacts module 1237 are describedfurther below.

In conjunction with Network Systems circuitry 1208, audio circuitry1210, speaker 1211, microphone 1213, touch screen 1212, displaycontroller 1256, contact module 1230, graphics module 1232, and textinput module 1234, the telephone module 1238 may be used to enter asequence of characters corresponding to a telephone number, access oneor more telephone numbers in the address book 1237, modify a telephonenumber that has been entered, dial a respective telephone number,conduct a conversation and disconnect or hang up when the conversationis completed. As noted above, the wireless communication may use any ofa plurality of communications standards, protocols and technologies.Embodiments of user interfaces and associated processes using telephonemodule 1238 are described further below.

In conjunction with Network Systems circuitry 1208, audio circuitry1210, speaker 1211, microphone 1213, touch screen 1212, displaycontroller 1256, optical sensor 1264, optical sensor controller 1258,contact module 1230, graphics module 1232, text input module 1234,contact list 1237, and telephone module 1238, the videoconferencingmodule 1239 may be used to initiate, conduct, and terminate a videoconference between a user and one or more other participants.

In conjunction with Network Systems circuitry 1208, touch screen 1212,display controller 1256, contact module 1230, graphics module 1232, andtext input module 1234, the e-mail client module 1240 may be used tocreate, send, receive, and manage e-mail. In conjunction with imagemanagement module 1244, the e-mail module 1240 makes it very easy tocreate and send e-mails with still or video images taken with cameramodule 1243. Embodiments of user interfaces and associated processesusing e-mail module 1240 are described further below.

In conjunction with Network Systems circuitry 1208, touch screen 1212,display controller 1256, contact module 1230, graphics module 1232, andtext input module 1234, the instant messaging module 1241 may be used toenter a sequence of characters corresponding to an instant message, tomodify previously entered characters, to transmit a respective instantmessage (for example, using a Short Message Service (SMS) or MultimediaMessage Service (MMS) protocol for telephony-based instant messages orusing XMPP, SIMPLE, or IMPS for Internet-based instant messages), toreceive instant messages and to view received instant messages. In someembodiments, transmitted and/or received instant messages may includegraphics, photos, audio files, video files and/or other attachments asare supported in a MMS and/or an Enhanced Messaging Service (EMS). Asused herein, “instant messaging” refers to both telephony-based messages(e.g., messages sent using SMS or MMS) and Internet-based messages(e.g., messages sent using XMPP, SIMPLE, or IMPS). Embodiments of userinterfaces and associated processes using instant messaging module 1241are described further below.

In conjunction with Network Systems circuitry 1208, touch screen 1212,display controller 1256, contact module 1230, graphics module 1232, textinput module 1234, image management module 1244, and browsing module1247, the blogging module 1242 may be used to send text, still images,video, and/or other graphics to a blog (e.g., the user's blog).

In conjunction with touch screen 1212, display controller 1256, opticalsensor(s) 1264, optical sensor controller 1258, contact module 1230,graphics module 1232, and image management module 1244, the cameramodule 1243 may be used to capture still images or video (including avideo stream) and store them into memory 1202, modify characteristics ofa still image or video, or delete a still image or video from memory1202. Embodiments of user interfaces and associated processes usingcamera module 1243 are described further below.

In conjunction with touch screen 1212, display controller 1256, contactmodule 1230, graphics module 1232, text input module 1234, and cameramodule 1243, the image management module 1244 may be used to arrange,modify or otherwise manipulate, label, delete, present (e.g., in adigital slide show or album), and store still and/or video images.Embodiments of user interfaces and associated processes using imagemanagement module 1244 are described further below.

In conjunction with touch screen 1212, display controller 1256, contactmodule 1230, graphics module 1232, audio circuitry 1210, and speaker1211, the video player module 1245 may be used to display, present orotherwise play back videos (e.g., on the touch screen or on an external,connected display via external port 1224). Embodiments of userinterfaces and associated processes using video player module 1245 aredescribed further below.

In conjunction with touch screen 1212, display system controller 1256,contact module 1230, graphics module 1232, audio circuitry 1210, speaker1211, Network Systems circuitry 1208, and browser module 1247, the musicplayer module 1246 allows the user to download and play back recordedmusic and other sound files stored in one or more file formats, such asMP3 or AAC files. In some embodiments, the mobile device 1200 mayinclude the functionality of an MP3 player, such as an iPod (trademarkof Apple Computer, Inc.). Embodiments of user interfaces and associatedprocesses using music player module 1246 are described further below.

In conjunction with Network Systems circuitry 1208, touch screen 1212,display system controller 1256, contact module 1230, graphics module1232, and text input module 1234, the browser module 1247 may be used tobrowse the Internet, including searching, linking to, receiving, anddisplaying web pages or portions thereof, as well as attachments andother files linked to web pages. Embodiments of user interfaces andassociated processes using browser module 1247 are described furtherbelow.

In conjunction with Network Systems circuitry 1208, touch screen 1212,display system controller 1256, contact module 1230, graphics module1232, text input module 1234, e-mail module 1240, and browser module1247, the calendar module 1248 may be used to create, display, modify,and store calendars and data associated with calendars (e.g., calendarentries, to do lists, etc.). Embodiments of user interfaces andassociated processes using calendar module 1248 are described furtherbelow.

In conjunction with Network Systems circuitry 1208, touch screen 1212,display system controller 1256, contact module 1230, graphics module1232, text input module 1234, and browser module 1247, the widgetmodules 1249 are mini-applications that may be downloaded and used by auser (e.g., weather widget 1249-1, stocks widget 1249-2, calculatorwidget 1249-3, alarm clock widget 1249-4, and dictionary widget 1249-5)or created by the user (e.g., user-created widget 1249-6). In someembodiments, a widget includes an HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) file,a CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) file, and a JavaScript file. In someembodiments, a widget includes an XML (Extensible Markup Language) fileand a JavaScript file (e.g., Yahoo! Widgets).

In conjunction with Network Systems circuitry 1208, touch screen 1212,display system controller 1256, contact module 1230, graphics module1232, text input module 1234, and browser module 1247, the widgetcreator module 1250 may be used by a user to create widgets (e.g.,turning a user-specified portion of a web page into a widget).

In conjunction with touch screen 1212, display system controller 1256,contact module 1230, graphics module 1232, and text input module 1234,the search module 1251 may be used to search for text, music, sound,image, video, and/or other files in memory 1202 that match one or moresearch criteria (e.g., one or more user-specified search terms).

In conjunction with touch screen 1212, display controller 1256, contactmodule 1230, graphics module 1232, and text input module 1234, the notesmodule 1253 may be used to create and manage notes, to do lists, and thelike.

In conjunction with Network Systems circuitry 1208, touch screen 1212,display system controller 1256, contact module 1230, graphics module1232, text input module 1234, GPS module 1235, and browser module 1247,the map module 1254 may be used to receive, display, modify, and storemaps and data associated with maps (e.g., driving directions; data onstores and other points of interest at or near a particular location;and other location-based data).

Each of the above identified modules and applications correspond to aset of instructions for performing one or more functions describedabove. These modules (i.e., sets of instructions) need not beimplemented as separate software programs, procedures or modules, andthus various subsets of these modules may be combined or otherwisere-arranged in various embodiments. For example, video player module1245 may be combined with music player module 1246 into a single module(e.g., video and music player module. In some embodiments, memory 1202may store a subset of the modules and data structures identified above.Furthermore, memory 1202 may store additional modules and datastructures not described above.

In some embodiments, the mobile device 1200 is a device where operationof a predefined set of functions on the device is performed exclusivelythrough a touch screen 1212 and/or a touchpad. By using a touch screenand/or a touchpad as the primary input/control device for operation ofthe mobile device 1200, the number of physical input/control devices(such as push buttons, dials, and the like) on the mobile device 1200may be reduced.

The predefined set of functions that may be performed exclusivelythrough a touch screen and/or a touchpad include navigation between userinterfaces. In some embodiments, the touchpad, when touched by the user,navigates the mobile device 1200 to a main, home, or root menu from anyuser interface that may be displayed on the mobile device 1200. In suchembodiments, the touchpad may be referred to as a “menu button.” In someother embodiments, the menu button may be a physical push button orother physical input/control device instead of a touchpad.

FIG. 31 illustrates a portable multifunction mobile device 1200 having atouch screen 1212 in accordance with some embodiments. The touch screenmay display one or more graphics within user interface (UI) 1200. Inthis embodiment, as well as others described below, a user may selectone or more of the graphics by making contact or touching the graphics,for example, with one or more fingers 1202 (not drawn to scale in thefigure). In some embodiments, selection of one or more graphics occurswhen the user breaks contact with the one or more graphics. In someembodiments, the contact may include a gesture, such as one or moretaps, one or more swipes (from left to right, right to left, upwardand/or downward) and/or a rolling of a finger (from right to left, leftto right, upward and/or downward) that has made contact with the mobiledevice 1200. In some embodiments, inadvertent contact with a graphic maynot select the graphic. For example, a swipe gesture that sweeps over anapplication icon may not select the corresponding application when thegesture corresponding to selection is a tap.

The mobile device 1200 may also include one or more physical buttons,such as “home” or menu button 1204. As described previously, the menubutton 1204 may be used to navigate to any application 1236 in a set ofapplications that may be executed on the mobile device 1000.Alternatively, in some embodiments, the menu button is implemented as asoft key in a GUI in touch screen 1212.

In one embodiment, the mobile device 1200 includes a touch screen 1212,a menu button 1204, a push button 1206 for powering the device on/offand locking the device, volume adjustment button(s) 1208, a SubscriberIdentity Module (SIM) card slot 1210, a head set jack 1212, and adocking/charging external port 1224. The push button 1206 may be used toturn the power on/off on the device by depressing the button and holdingthe button in the depressed state for a predefined time interval; tolock the device by depressing the button and releasing the button beforethe predefined time interval has elapsed; and/or to unlock the device orinitiate an unlock process. In an alternative embodiment, the mobiledevice 1200 also may accept verbal input for activation or deactivationof some functions through the microphone 1212.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the wearable device is madeentirely or partially of silicone rubber, either gum or liquid.

Silicone rubber is highly inert and does not react with most chemicals.silicone rubber chain.

In one embodiment, the silicone rubber is a polysiloxanes with backbonesof Si—O—Si units. Polysiloxane is very flexible due to large bond anglesand bond lengths when compared to those found in more basic polymerssuch as polyethylene. For example, a C—C backbone unit has a bond lengthof 1.54 Å and a bond angle of 112°, whereas the siloxane backbone unitSi—O has a bond length of 1.63 Å and a bond angle of 130°. The followingstructure is repeated in the silicone rubber.

The siloxane backbone has a much more flexible polymer. Because the bondlengths are longer, they can move farther and change conformationeasily, making for a flexible material. Polysiloxanes also tend to bechemically inert, due to the strength of the silicon-oxygen bond.Despite silicone being a congener of carbon, silicone analogues ofcarbonaceous compounds generally exhibit different properties, due tothe differences in electronic structure and electronegativity betweenthe two elements; the silicon-oxygen bond in polysiloxanes issignificantly more stable than the carbon-oxygen bond inpolyoxymethylene (a structurally similar polymer) due to its higher bondenergy.

Silicone rubber is an elastomer (rubber-like material) composed ofsilicone—itself a polymer, containing silicon together with carbon,hydrogen, and oxygen. Silicone rubbers are often one- or two-partpolymers, and may contain fillers to improve properties or reduce cost.Silicone rubber is generally non-reactive, stable, and resistant toextreme environments and temperatures from −55° C. to +300° C. whilestill maintaining its useful properties.

In its uncured state, the silicone rubber used can be a highly-adhesivegel or liquid. To convert it to a solid, it is cured, vulcanized, orcatalyzed. In one embodiment, this is normally carried out in a twostage process at the point of manufacture into the desired shape, andthen in a prolonged post-cure process. It can also be injection molded.Suitable methods for the injection molding that can be used with thepresent invention are disclosed in, WO1999056922, EP1785454B1,EP0640663B1,

U.S. Publication No. 20130175732, EP2614945A2, EP1172414B1, EP0183553A2,EP1113042A2, EP1555297A1, and EP1595676A4, all incorporated fully hereinby reference. In one embodiment, the silicone rubber can also becompression molded.

Silicone rubber's special features as “Organosiloxanes Polymer” haveoriginated from its unique molecular structure that they carry bothinorganic and organic rubbers, In other words, due to the Si—O bond ofsilicone rubber and its inorganic properties, silicone rubber issuperior to ordinary organic rubbers in terms of heat resistance,chemical stability, electrical insulating, abrasion resistance,weatherability and ozone resistance, and the like.

Silicone rubber is classified into HTV silicone rubber (High TemperatureVulcanization silicone rubber) and RTV silicone rubber (Room TemperatureVulcanization silicone rubber) by its curing temperature. Also, HTVsilicone rubber is divided into Millable Type silicone rubber and LiquidType silicone rubber by its degree of polymerization.

LSR is Liquid Type and High Temperature Vulcanization silicone rubber.LSR differs from Millable Type silicone rubber and RTV (Room TemperatureVulcanization) by its degree of viscosity and curing temperature. LSR(Liquid silicone rubber) is perfect rubber material for automatedinjection molding due to its excellent liquidity. Also, LSR (Liquidsilicone rubber) is ideal for complex molds, demanding design andtolerance because it can easily fill the most complex part of a mold.

HRS RTV 2K (RTV silicone rubber) is fire-stop material and designedbased on silicone rubber's unique characteristics such as hightemperature resistance, flame retardant, sound-proofness andair-tightness. HRS RTV 2K (RTV silicone rubber) is two parts and themixing ratio is 1:1.

The reaction to make chlorosilanes is quite complex and is carried outat a temperature of about 300° C., under pressures typically of 3 bars.The reaction mass needs to be heated in order to obtain reaction, butonce the reaction temperature is reached, the reaction becomesexothermic, and consequently requires very stringent temperaturecontrol. The reaction is carried out in a fluidized bed reactor andoccurs in a solid/gaseous reaction. In order to maximize the reactionefficiency, the solid silicon must be low in other metallic components.The fine residue that is extracted from the process is dependent uponthe quality of the silicon going into the process but is generally madeup of Cu, Fe, Al, and Ca. Consequently, silicon having lowconcentrations of these elements is desired for the process.

The preparation of silicone compounds from chlorosilanes is an importantsynthetic pathway. The most important process to achieve thistransformation is the so-called hydrolysis process. In the hydrolysisprocess the chlorosilanes compounds produced in the Rochow process arereacted with water converting them into a mixture of linear, and cycliccompounds. The exact composition of the Rochow products, the conditionsof pH, concentration of water and temperature of hydrolysis determinesthe exact composition of the hydrolysis produced.

Since the Rochow process produces primarily dimethyldichlorosilane, thereaction of that component with water is shown below;

Hydrolysis of Chlorosilane to Produce HCl and Siloxanediol

(CH₃)₂SiCl₂+H₂0--->HCl+(CH₃)₂Si(OH)₂

This step results in the formation of hydrochloric acid and asiloxanediol. The corrosive nature of the HCl has to be carefullyconsidered and handled in the plant to avoid corrosion of the equipment.

Dehydration of Siloxanediol to Cyclomethicone and Silanols

(CH₃)₂Si(OH)₂-->H₂O+HO—(CH₃)₂SiO)_(n)H+cylclomethicone

This process results in two types of compounds that are used by thecosmetic chemist. They are silanol (dimethiconol) and cyclomethicone.The former is used in hair gloss compounds and the latter is commonlyused in antiperspirant compositions.

In one embodiment, cyclomethicone is distilled from the mixture. Thepredominate cyclomethicone produced is D4, with lesser amounts of D5 andD3.

The ratio of D4 to D5 in the above reaction is generally 85% D4 to 15%D5. The cyclomethicone mixture distills off the hydrolysis process as anazeotrope. This common azeotrope is the least expensive cyclomethiconecomposition produced. Since separation of the two from each otherrequires distillation, the pure D4 is more expensive than the azeotropeand the D5 is still more expensive. Cyclomethicone refers to a series ofcyclic a silicone compounds. The structure of which is:

wherein n is an integer ranging from 3 to 30. It is interesting that theterms “volatile silicone” and “cyclomethicone” are sometimes confused.This is because lower cyclomethicone compounds (n is 3-6) are volatilecompounds used in applications like antiperspirants and as cleaningsolvents for electronic parts like circuit boards. It is important torealize that all cyclomethicone compounds are not volatile (for examplen=30), and likewise all volatile silicones are not cyclic (for exampleMM). The term cyclomethicone refers to a structure; the termcyclomethicone refers to a physical property.

Cyclomethicone is available in a variety of compositions. Pure D3, D4,and D5 are available as well as a more common lower cost 85% D4/15% D5composition. This becomes important for skin feel and solubility in manysolvents. Volatile, cyclomethicone compounds are much more organicsoluble than silicone fluids that are higher molecular weight and arelinear.

In one embodiment, silanol compounds, also called dimethiconols can beused with the present invention. These compounds have terminal Si—OHgroups present on the molecule. The Si—OH group is reactive toward manyorganic reactions and is in many regards analogous to the carbanol groupCH2-OH. There is one major exception. The silanol groups canhomopolymerize under many conditions to produce water and a highermolecular weight silanol. The reaction is as follows:

Despite the fact that these materials can homopolymerize under certainconditions, these materials find utilization in a variety ofapplications, most notable waxes, textiles, and personal careapplications.

Silanols are available in a range of viscosity from 5,000 to 50,000 cst.These materials by virtue of their hydroxyl reactive groups are rawmaterials for a sealant, paints and more recently a series of silanolbased esters.

In one embodiment of the present invention, silicone rubbers can bederivative from hydrolyzate.

In order to better understand the polymer chemistry, a shorthand hasbeen developed. The nomenclature is based upon the type of groupspresent in the molecule.

“M unit” is monosubstituted (one oxygen atom on silicon)“D unit” is disubstituted (two oxygen atoms on silicon)“T unit” is trisubstituted (three oxygen atoms on silicon)“Q unit” is tetrasubstituted (four oxygen atoms on silicon)If organofunctional groups other than carbon are introduced, the groupis given a “*” Is added to its designation.“M* unit” is monosubstituted (one oxygen atom on silicon)“D* unit” is disubstituted (two oxygen atoms on silicon) withorganofunctionality“T* unit” is trisubstituted (three oxygen atoms on silicon) withorganofunctionalityThere is no “Q* unit” since there is no possibility of functionalgroups.

There are three types of construction of silicone polymers. They are:

In one embodiment, the silicone fluids used with the present inventionare synthesis by the equilibration reaction of MM and cyclomethiconeTypical of the synthesis of fluids is the following reaction in whichone MM is reacted with one D4 compound to make MD₄M, a simple siliconefluid.

The reaction may be run with either acid or base catalyst. Typically, acatalyst might be sulfuric acid at 2% by weight and the reactionconducted for 12 hours at room temperature. The resulting product is amixture of about 10% free cyclic and 90% linear fluid. It the catalystis now neutralized and the cyclic stripped off a stable fluid results.If the catalyst is not neutralized during strip, the fluid will degradeback to MM and D4.

In one embodiment, the equilibration process produces stable siliconefluids, but is also used as a process to introduce functional groupsinto the polymer.

In one embodiment, a “finished silicone fluid” may be placed in contactwith D4 and catalyst and re-equilibrated to make a higher viscosityfluid. Conversely, a “finished silicone fluid” may be re-equilibratedwith MM and catalyst to get a lower viscosity fluid. Finally, siliconerubber may be decomposed into MM, and D4 via stripping of the product inthe presence of catalyst. This property of silicone polymers makes themdecidedly different from organic compounds.

Silicone fluids, also called silicone oils, or simple silicone are soldby their viscosity and range from 0.65 cs to 1,000,000 cs. If theproduct is not made by blending two different viscosity fluids theviscosity is related to molecular weight. The viscosity allows for anapproximate calculation of the value of “n” in the formula below⁵.

Viscosity 25 C. Approximate Approximate (Centistokes) Molecular Weight“n” Value 5 800 9 50 3,780 53 100 6,000 85 200 9,430 127 350 13,650 185500 17,350 230 1,000 28,000 375 10,000 67,700 910 60,000 116,500 1,570100,000 139,050 1,875

In one embodiment, the silicone rubber used can be cured by aplatinum-catalyzed cure system, a condensation cure system, a peroxidecure system, or an oxide cure system.

In one embodiment, a platinum-based system, also called an additionsystem is used and two separate components are mixed to catalyze thepolymers: the one component contains a platinum complex which must bemixed with the second, a hydride- and a vinyl-functional siloxanepolymer, creating an ethyl bridge between the two. Such silicone rubberscure quickly, though the rate of or even ability to cure is easilyinhibited in the presence of elemental tin, sulphur, and many aminecompounds.

An example of such a silicone rubber is Silastic Rx, manufactured by DowCorning.

In one embodiment, a condensation system, also called an RTV(room-temperature vulcanizing) system is used. In this embodiment, analcoxy crosslinker is exposed to ambient humidity (i.e., water)experiences a hydrolysis step and is left with a hydroxyl group. Thisgroup then participates in a condensation reaction with another hydroxylgroup attached to the actual polymer. A tin catalyst is not necessaryfor the reaction to occur, though it increases the rate of the reactionand therefore decreases the cure time. No mixing is required for thereaction to take place. Such a system will cure on its own at roomtemperature and (unlike the platinum-based system) is not easilyinhibited by contact with other chemicals, though it may take as long asa week for the system to fully cure.

In one embodiment, acetoxy tin condensation is used for curing thesilicone rubber. In one embodiment, a peroxide-based silicone is used.

In one embodiment, the silicone rubber offers good resistance to extremetemperatures, being able to operate normally from −100° C. to +300° C.Some properties such as elongation, creep, cyclic flexing, tearstrength, compression set, dielectric strength (at high voltage),thermal conductivity, fire resistance and in some cases tensile strengthcan be—at extreme temperatures—far superior to organic rubbers ingeneral, although a few of these properties are still lower than forsome specialty materials. Silicone rubber is a material of choice inindustry when retention of initial shape and mechanical strength aredesired under heavy thermal stress or sub-zero temperatures.

The siloxane bonds (—Si—O—Si—) that form the backbone of silicone(dimethyl polysiloxane) are highly stable. At 433 kJ/mol, their bindingenergy is higher than that of carbon bonds (C—C), at 355 kJ/mol. Thus,compared to common organic polymers, silicone rubbers have higher heatresistance and chemical stability, and provide better electricalinsulation.

The siloxane bonds (—Si—O—Si—) that form the backbone of silicone(dimethyl polysiloxane) are highly stable. At 433 kJ/mol, their bindingenergy is higher than that of carbon bonds (C—C), at 355 kJ/mol. Thus,compared to common organic polymers, silicone rubbers have higher heatresistance and chemical stability, and provide better electricalinsulation.

Silicone rubber withstands high and low temperatures far better thanorganic rubbers. Silicone rubber can be used indefinitely at 150° C.with almost no change in its properties. It withstands use even at 200°C. for 10,000 hours or more, and some products can withstand heat of350° C. for short periods. Silicone rubbers are thus suitable as amaterial for rubber components used in high temperature environments.

Silicone rubber also has excellent resistance to cold temperatures. Theembrittlement point of typical organic rubbers is between −20° and −30°C., compared to −60° to −70° C. for silicone rubbers. Even attemperatures at which organic rubbers turn brittle, silicone rubberremains elastic. Some products withstand extremely low temperatures of−100° C. and below.

Generally speaking, silicone rubber hardens when heated in air, withdecreasing elongation as it deteriorates; but in sealed conditions itsoftens as it deteriorates, and its operating life at high temperaturesis shorter in sealed conditions than in air. This softening results fromthe degradation of the siloxane polymer. Adjusting the silicone rubberformula, using a different curing agent, and/or post-curing can helpprevent softening in hot, sealed conditions. Such products are alsoavailable.

Silicone rubbers have exceptional weatherability. Ozone created bycorona discharge rapidly deteriorates most organic rubbers, but hasalmost no effect on silicone rubber. In addition, silicone rubber can beexposed to wind, rain and UV rays for long periods with virtually nochange in its physical properties.

Results of long-term outdoor exposure testing of various rubbersDeterioration conditions Time until surface cracks lime of sunlightexposure until are first apparent (years) elongation is ½ that of theinitial value (years) Location Rubber type Panama Rock Island PanamaRock Island Styrene butadiene   2-3.5 Over 10 years 4 10 Nitrile 0.5-1 —7 10 Chloroprene — — 8.5 Over 10 years Silicone (methyl vinyl) Over 10years Over 10 years Over 10 years Over 10 years to decline to 75%Silicone (methylphenyl) — — Over 10 years Over 10 years Fluorosilicone —— 0.5  4 Ethylene propylene — — 10 Over 8.5 years to decline to 75%Fluorine 10 10 Over 10 years to decline to 90%

Silicone rubber can be immersed in water (cold water, warm water,boiling water) for long periods with water absorption of about 1%, andwith virtually no effect on mechanical strength or electricalproperties. Typically, under ordinary pressure, contact with steamcauses almost no deterioration of silicone rubbers. With pressurizedsteam, however, the effects increase as steam pressure increases. Highpressure steam at temperatures over 150° C. causes breakdown of thesiloxane polymer and a decline in the properties of the rubber. Thiseffect can be ameliorated by adjusting the silicone rubber formula,selecting a proper curing agent, and/or post-curing. There are numerousproducts available with improved resistance to steam and hot water.

Silicone rubber has outstanding resistance to oil at high temperatures.Among common organic rubbers, nitrile rubber and chloroprene rubber havesomewhat higher oil resistance at temperatures below 100° C., but athigher temperatures silicone rubber is superior.

Silicone rubber also has excellent resistance to solvents and otherchemicals. It is essentially unaffected by polar organic compounds(aniline, alcohol, etc.) or dilute acids or bases, with the increase involume due to swelling in the range of only 10%-15%. Silicone rubberdoes swell in non-polar organic compounds like benzene, toluene andgasoline; but unlike most organic rubbers, it does not decompose ordissolve, and will return to its former state when the solvent isremoved. Silicone rubber is, however, adversely affected by strong acidsand bases, so it should not be used where it will come in contact withsuch chemicals.

Typically, the effects of solvents on silicone are evidenced by theswelling, softening and reduced strength of the rubber; the extent ofthese effects depends on the type of solvent involved.

Oil and chemical resistance of common methyl vinyl silicone rubberImmersion Change in properties conditions Hardness Tensile Type ofoil/chemical ° C./h points Weight % Volume % strength % Elongation %

ASTM No. 1 150/168  −10 +10 −10 −10 ASTM No. 3 150/168  −25 +40 −20 −20GM Hydramatic Fluid 9⁴/₇0  −35 +35 −40 −5 Ford Brake Fluid 150/72  −20+15 −60 −40 Diesel Fuel 50/168 −30 +105 — — Gasoline 23/168 −20 +165 — —Skydrol 500A Fluid 70/168 −5 +10 −10 +5 Motor oil (SAE #30) 175/168  −8−8 −70 −65 Chemical Acid Conc. Nitric acid 25/168 +10 +10 −80 30 7%Nitric acid 25/168 <1 <1 −50 −30 Conc. Sulfuric acid 25/168 DissolvesDissolves Dissolves Dissolves 10% Sulfuric acid 25/168 <1 <1 0 0 Aceticacid 25/168 +3 +4 −20 +10 5% Acetic acid 25/168 +2 +2 −20 +10 Conc.Hydrochloric acid 25/168 +3 +4 −40 −20 10% Hydrochloric acid 25/168 +2+2 −50 −50 Alkali

10% Sodium hydroxide 25/168 −2 −1 −10 0 solution 2% Sodium hydroxide25/168 <1 <1 0 0 solution Conc. Ammonia water 25/168 +2 +1 −30 +10 10%Ammonia water 25/168 +2 +2 −20 0

-c. Water 25/168 <1 <1 0 0 100/70  <1 <1 −10 −10 70/168 +1 <1 −10 +10 3%Hydrogen peroxide 25/168 <1 <1 0 +20 solution

indicates data missing or illegible when filed

Change in volume of rubbers caused by various fluids (after 168 hourimmersion Temperature Nitrite Natural Styrene Fluid type ° C. 28% 33%38% Chloroprene rubber butadiene Butyl Silicone Hypalon ® Gasoline 50 1510 6 55 250 140 240 260 85 ASTM #1 oil 50 −1 −1.5 −2 5 60 12 20 4 4 ASTM#3 oil 50 10 3 0.5 65 200 130 120 40 65 Diesel oil 50 20 12 5 70 250 150250 150 120 Olive oil 50 −2 −2 −2 27 100 50 10 4 40 Lard 50 0.5 1 1.5 30110 50 10 4 45 Formaldehyde 50 10 10 10 25 6 7 0.5 1 1.2 Ethanol 50 2020 18 7 3 −5 2 15 5 Glycol 50 0.5 0.5 0.5 2 0.5 0.5 −0.2 1 0.5 Ethylether 50 50 30 20 95 170 135 90 270 85 Methyl ethyl ketone 50 250 250250 150 85 80 15 150 150 Trichloroethylene 50 290 230 230 380 420 400300 300 600 Carbon tetrachloride 50 110 75 55 330 420 400 275 300 350Benzene 50 250 200 160 300 350 350 150 240 430 Aniline 50 360 380 420125 15 30 10 7 70 Phenol 50 450 470 510 85 35 60 3 10 80 Cyclohexanol 5050 40 25 40 55 35 7 25 20 Distilled water 100 10 11 12 12 10 2.5 5 2 4Sea water 50 2 3 3 5 2 7 0.5 0.5 0.5

In one embodiment, the silicone rubber used has high insulationresistance of Iff2.m-100Tam, and its insulating properties are stableover a wide range of temperatures and across a wide frequency spectrum.There is almost no decline in performance even when immersed in water,making silicone rubber an ideal insulating material. It has particularlygood resistance to corona discharge and arcing at high voltages.Silicone rubber is thus used extensively as an insulator in high voltageapplications.

In one embodiment, the thermal conductivity of the silicone rubber isabout 0.2 W/mf2·K. In some embodiments, the silicone rubbers contain ahigh proportion of special inorganic fillers to improve thermalconductivity (about 1.3 W/mC2·K).

In one embodiment, flame retardancy and/or self-extinguishing propertiesis

Examples of suitable silicone rubbers are found in U.S. Pat. No.3,813,364 GB1278798 and GB1381933, EP 0477681, U.S. Pat. No. 8,389,627,EP 1792944, EP 1217042, EP 0567253, WO 1987004449, EP 0369255 and EP1094091, all fully incorporated herein by reference.

In one embodiment, a curable silicone rubber composition and anopacifier present in 0.1% to 35% by weight of the organopolysiloxane iscontained in the silicone rubber composition, the silicone rubber beingcoated onto a translucent sheet material and cured.

The silicone rubber composition may be a room temperature vulcanizablesilicone rubber composition or may be a heat-curable silicone rubbercomposition.

In one embodiment, the silicone rubber may be a room temperaturevulcanizable silicone rubber composition comprising (a) a linear,organopolysiloxane containing terminal silicon-bonded hydroxy groups andhaving a viscosity of 500 to 10,000,000 centipoises when measured at 25°C., the organic groups of the aforesaid organopolysiloxane beingsubstituted or unsubstituted monovalent hydrocarbon radicals, (b) from0.1 to 15% by weight, based on organopolysiloxane, of (1) anorganoxysilane or silicate corresponding to the general formula.

(RO)₃Si—R¹  (1)

where R is a monovalent hydrocarbon or halogenated hydrocarbon radicaland R**** is an alkyl, haloalkyl, aryl, haloaryl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl,cycloalkenyl, cyanoalkyl, alkoxy or acyloxy radical, or

(2) a liquid partial hydrolysis product of the aforementioned organoxysilane or silicate compounds, (c) from 0.1 to 5% by weight, based on theorganopolysiloxane, of a catalyst which is metal salt of an organicmonocarboxylic or dicarboxylic acid in which the metal ion is lead, tin.zirconium, antimony, iron, cadmium, barium, calcium, titanium, bismuthor manganese, and (d) from 0.1 to 10% by weight, based on theorganopolysiloxane, of a nitrogen-containing silane of the formula:

where R is a monovalent hydrocarbon or halogenated hydrocarbon radical,Q is an alkoxy, phenoxy, halo, a ino or dialkylamino group, and Q* is asaturated, unsaturated or aromatic hydrocarbon residue substituted by atleast one amino hydrazone, azirane or, cyano group, and optionally oneor more thio, sulphone, oxa, oxo, diorganosilicone and/or ester groups,and a is 0, 1 or 2.

These compositions are self-bonding, i.e. they do not require the use ofa primer. The presence of the nitrogen-containing silane in an amount of0.1 to 10% by weight, based on the linear organopolysiloxane (a) impartsthe desired self-bonding properties to the room temperature vulcanizablesilicone composition. The nitrogen-containing silane (d) acts both as aself-bonding agent and as a catalytic agent in the composition. Thecomposition, however, also contains an additional catalyst (c)constituted by from 0.1 to 5% by weight, based on organopolysiloxane, ofa catalyst which is a metallic salt of an organic monocarboxylic ordicarboxylic acid in which the metal ion is lead, tin, zirconium,antimony, iron, cadmium, barium, calcium, titanium, bismuth ormanganese. Preferred nitrogen containing silanes (d) have the formula.

where R**** is a monovalent hydrocarbon or halogenated hydrocarbonradical of up to 10 carbon atoms, most preferably an alkyl radical of 1to 5 carbon atoms; a has the meaning given above and preferably has avalue of 0. The present composition may additionally include a branchedor straight polymer compound of (R̂̂SiO units, (R3)SiO-j/2 units andR3SiO3/2 units having a 0.05 to 8% by weight, preferably 0.1 to 8% byweight of hydroxyt radicals (the viscosity of the polymer beingpreferably between 500 to 1.0×10*̂centipoise at 25° C.). The ratio of theorganosiloxy units to the diorganosiloxy units is from 0.11 to 1.4 andthe ratio of the trioganosiloxy units to the diorganosiloxy units isfrom 0.02 to 1, inclusive. The preferred linear fluid organopolysiloxanecontaining terminal silicon-bonded hydroxy groups and having a viscosityof 500 to 10,000,000 centipoises when measured at 25° C., has preferablythe formula.

where R³ is a monovalent hydrocarbon or halogenated hydrocarbon radicaland r is a whole number from 250 to 7,275. The radicals R, R2, and R3are preferably alkyl radicals, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl orhexyl; aryl radicals such as phenyl, or diphenyl; alkaryl radicals suchas tolyl, xylyl, or ethylphenyl; aralkyl radicals such as benzyl, orphenylethyl; haloaryl and haloalkyl such as chlorophenyl,tetrachlorophenyl, or difluorophenyl; and alkenyl radicals such as vinylor allyl. Further, R3 may also represent cyanoalkyl, cycloalkyl orcycloalkenyl radicals. The R3 groups attached to a single siliconeradical may be the same groups or different groups. It has been foundthat at least 50% and preferably 70 to 100% of the R3 groups in thediorganopolysiloxane molecule should be methyl. Further, thediorganopolysiloxane can be a homopolymer, or a copolymer havingdifferent types of units in the chain such as dimethyl, diphenyl, ormethyl-phenyl.

The organopolysiloxanes of formula (4) may also be represented by theaverage unit formula,

where R³ is defined above and the value of m may vary from 1.99 to 2.The above average unit formula only represents organopolysiloxaneshaving monofunctional terminal groups and optional trifunctional units.However, in one embodiment, the terminal groups are hydroxy and themonofunctional and trifunctional groups be kept to a minimum.

In order for the diorganopolysiloxane fluids to cure there can bepresent in the composition the cross-linking agent of formula (1). Inthat formula, R groups may be alkyl radicals such as methyl, ethyl,propyl, isopropyl, butyl, amyl, isoamyl, octyl, isooctyl, decyl, ordodecyl; haloalkyl such as the chlorinated, brominated, or fluorinatedalkyl radicals. In addition, R may represent aryl, aralkyl and alkenylradicals such as vinyl, allyl, phenyl, tolyl, xylyl, benzyl,phenylethyl, naphthyl, anthracyl, or biphenyl, as well as thehalogen-substituted derivatives of the above radicals. In addition, Rmay represent cycloalkenyl, cycloalkyl and cyanoalkyl radicals. Theradical R1 represents the same radicals as R and, in addition,preferably represents alkoxy or aryloxy radicals such as methoxy,ethoxy, butoxy and phenoxy. Alternatively to the monomeric compounds offormula (1), liquid partially hydrolyzed products thereof can also beused as cross-linking agents. Such hydrolysis products are obtained byeffecting partial hydrolysis in water of the particular monomericcompound in the presence of small amounts of acid to a point where it isstill water-insoluble and still possible to isolate a liquid partiallyhydrolyzed organosilicone compound. Thus, the ethyl silicate having theformula (C₂H₅O)₄Si may be partially hydrolyzed by adding acids oracid-forming metal salts, such as FeCl, CUCl2, AlCl3, or SnCl̂ to theliquid monomeric organosilicate, and thereafter effecting suitablehydrolysis of this mixture of ingredients in water to obtain thetwo-phase composition, from which the water-insoluble, partiallyhydrolyzed organosilicate can readily be separated from the aqueousphase and catalyst. A partially hydrolyzed ethyl silicate is sold underthe tradename Ethyl Silicate-40, by Union Carbide Corporation.

There is added from 0.1 to 15.0% by weight of the cross-linking agent offormula (1) (or its hydrolysis product) and preferably 0.1 to 10% byweight, based on the weight of the diorganopolysiloxane of formula (4)and (5). If more than 15.0% by weight of cross-linking agent were to beused, the excess would not function as a cross-linking agent since theinitial hydroxy positions on the organopolysiloxane would already havereacted with the cross-linking agent and the excess would act as afiller, reducing the elasticity of the cured silicone rubbercomposition. If less than 0.1% by weight of cross-linking agent were tobe used, there would not be sufficient cross-linking agent to react withthe organopolysiloxane to form the cured silicone rubber.

Although the above mentioned cross-linking agents must be used, theremay additionally be used as cross-linking agents, organopolysiloxaneresins having a functionality greater than 2 and preferably greater than2.5. The organopolysiloxane resins are methylsiloxanes, or resins whichcontain both onomethyl and dimethyl or monophenyl units. There may alsobe used ethylsiloxane resins, in which the ratio R″Si is 1.4 to 1 andwhich contains 15 mol % of butoxy groups, or there may be used resins inwhich the ratio R″Si is 1.1 to 1 and which contain 10 mol % of methoxygroups or there may be used methylphenylsiloxane resins containing 50mol % of monomethyl units, 25 mol % of dimethyl units and 25 mol % ofmonophenyl units.

Other suitable additional cross-linking agents areorganohydrogenpolysiloxanes of the formula,

in which R^(3′) is an alkyl or aryl radical and a is a number less than2, but is not zero. The organohydrogenpolysiloxane cross-linking agentshave the disadvantage that during curing there is evolved hydrogen gaswhich can result in bubbles being trapped in the silicone rubbercomposition. Although the above cross-linking agents can be used in thecompositions, the organosilicates of formula (1) for their partialhydrolysis products must be present since the processability of thecomposition is facilitated and the cured silicone rubber composition hasbetter physical properties. A more detailed description of these othercross-linking agents is to be found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,127,363.

The other essential component in this silicone rubber composition is acatalyst. It has been found that only certain metallic salts of organiccarboxylic acids and dicarboxylic acids, in addition to thenitrogen-containing silanes of formula (2), may be employed with theorganopolysiloxanes of formula (4) and (5) as a curing catalyst.Suitable acid radicals are the resinate, linoleate, stearate, andoleate, as well as the lower radicals such as acetate, butyrate, andoctoate. Metallic salts of lauric acid have been found to be especiallyeffective. The metal ion of the metal salt is lead, tin, zirconium,antimony, iron, cadmium, barium, calcium, titanium, bismuth ormanganese. Thus, examples of suitable metallic salt catalysts are tinnaphthenate, lead octoate, tin octoate, iron stearate, tin oleate,antimony octoate, tinbutyrate, basic dibutyl tin laurate and dibutyl tindilurate. The tin and lead salts are preferred since they are usuallysoluble in the diorganopolysiloxanes of formulae (4) and (5) and sincethey have enhanced catalytic activity in combination with the alkylsilicate. It is important to note that other compounds which would beexpected to exercise good catalytic activity in the mixture ofdiorganopolysiloxane, filler and alkyl silicate. It is important to notethat other compounds which would be expected” to exercise good catalyticactivity in the mixture of diorganopolysiloxane, filler and alkylsilicate exercise no catalytic activity whatsoever. This class ofcompounds are zinc salts of organic acids, cobalt oleate, cobaltnaphthenate, manganese naphthenate, nickel naphthenate and calciumstearate. From 0.1 to 5% by weight of the metallic salt is used, basedon the weight of the diorganopolysiloxane.

Various heat curable silicone rubber compositions may also be used.These compositions may comprise, by weight (1) 100 parts of a liquidvinyl chain-stopped polysiloxane having the formula

where R10 and R12 are each an alkyl radical containing from 1 to 8carbon atoms, a mononuclear aryl radical, a cycloalkyl radical havingfrom 5 to 7 ring carbon atoms or a mononuclear aralkyl radical of whichthe alkyl radical(s) contain(s) from 1 to 8 carbon atoms with at least50 mole per cent of the R′ radicals being methyl and where n has a valuesufficient to provide a viscosity of 1,000 to 750,000 centistokes at 25°C., preferably from 50,000 to 150,000 inclusive,(2) from 0 to 50, preferably from 20 to 50 parts of anorganopolysiloxane copolymer comprising (R″)3SiO0>5 units, (R″)2SiOunits and Si02 units, where each R″ is a vinyl radical, an alkyl radicalcontaining from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, a mononuclear aryl radical, acycloalkyl radical having from 5 to 7 ring carbon atoms or a mononucleararalkyl radical of which the alkyl radical (s) contain(s) from 1 to 8carbon atoms, where the ratio of (R-′̂SIOQ̂units to Si02 units is from0.5:1 to 1:1, and where from 2.5 to 10 mole per cent of the siliconeatoms contain silicon-bonded vinyl groups,(3) a catalyst comprising platinum and/or a platinum compound in anamount sufficient to provide from 10˜3 to 10″° gram atoms of platinumper mole of silicon-bonded vinyl radicals in the composition,(4) an amount of a liquid organohydrogenpolysiloxane having the formula:

2 sufficient to provide from 0.5 to 1.2 and preferably 1.0silicon-bonded hydrogen atom per silicon-bonded vinyl group in thecomposition described in (1), where R is as previously defined, a has avalue of from 1.00 to 2.00, b has a value of from 0.1 to 1.2, preferably0.1 to 1.0, and the sum of a plus b is from 2.00 to 2.67, there being atleast two silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms per molecule, (5) from 0.1 to 1part of a liquid vinyl siloxane hydrolyzate of the formula:

preferably prepared by the hydrolysis of a mixture of vinyltrichlorosilane and a vinyl trialkoxysilane, such as vinyltriethoxysilane, where R″¹ is an alkyl radical having one to 8 carbonatoms, x is a number greater than 3, y has a value of from 0.01 to 0.4,and preferably has a value of from 0.05 to 0.1 and z has a value of 0.1to 0.4, preferably from 0.2 to 0.4, (6) from 0 per cent to 85 per cent,based upon the total weight of the above described mixture, of ahalocarbon catalyst inhibitor which is a halocarbon having 2 carbonatoms and at least 3 halogen substituents, said halogen substituentshaving an atomic weight of less than 126 and being positioned anywhereon the molecule. When a completely transparent laminate is desired, thefluid vinyl siloxane hydrolyzate of (5) is not mixed into thecompositions but can be used to prime the transparent surfaces to bejoined. The hydrolyzate is usually applied to the surfaces in an ethylalcohol solution containing from 3 to 6 per cent by weight of thehydrolyzate.

The compositions can be prepared in one embodiment by mixing in asuitable fashion all of the components described above plus anyadditional components such as will be described subsequently andmaintaining the mixture at a temperature at which it is to be cured. Thecompositions cure at temperatures which can vary from about 50° C. orlower to temperatures of the order of 110° C. or higher depending uponthe particular amount of platinum compound catalyst present incomposition and depending upon the time which is allowed for cure.Likewise, the compositions can be prevented from curing by maintainingthem at a reduced temperature such as a temperature of 0° C., in whichcase all of the components can be kept together for extended periods oftime without curing. The compositions can also be prevented from curingby the utilization of the above described halocarbon catalyst inhibitor.The compositions can vary from readily flowable liquids to slowlyflowing liquids depending upon the viscosity of the various componentsemployed in the reaction mixture and depending upon the amount of fillerincluded in the reaction mixture. Regardless of the flow characteristicsof the compositions and the proportions of the various ingredients, thecompositions cure to a hard, tough silicone elastomer upon maintainingthe compositions at the curing temperature for the required amount oftime. The compositions are translucent or opaque and the color of thecured product is a function of any added filler and the opacifyingagents added to the compositions. When a halocarbon inhibitor, as abovedescribed, is used in the compositions of the present invention, theviscosity of the vinyl containing fluid can be increased up to 3,000,000centistokes and still have a readily workable material.

All of the components of the composition are well known in the art. Thevinyl chain-stopped organopolysiloxane component (1) is typified byvarious compositions within the scope of formula (1) where themonovalent hydrocarbon radicals represented by R and R′ include alkylradicals containing from one to 8 carbon atoms, e.g., methyl, ethyl,propyl, butyl and octyl radicals; mononuclear aryl radicals, e.g.,phenyl, tolyl and xylyl radicals; cycloalkyl radicals containing 5 to 7ring carbon atoms, e.g., cyclohexyl and cycloheptyl radicals,mononuclear aryl ̂-Cg alkyl radicals, e.g., benzyl and phenylethylradicals.

Further examples of heat curable compositions include a self-bondingheat-vulcanizable silicone rubber composition comprising anorganopolysiloxane polymer having a viscosity of at least 100,000centipoise at 25° C. of the formula.

a curing catalyst and an additive selected from the class consisting ofan alkenylisocyanurate of the formula.

and a cyanurate of the formula.

and mixtures thereof, where R ̂ is selected from monovalent hydrocarbonradicals and halogenated monovalent hydrocarbon radicals, R21 isselected from unsaturated monovalent hydrocarbon radicals andunsaturated halogenated monovalent hydrocarbon radicals, R22 and R23 areselected from R1. radicals, saturated monovalent hydrocarbon radicalsand saturated halogenated monovalent hydrocarbon radicals and a variesfrom 1.95 to 2.01, inclusive. In the above composition, there ispreferably 82% to 99.65% by weight of the organopolysiloxane, 0.1% to 8%by weight of the curing catalyst and 0.25% to 10.0% by weight of theisocyanurate, based on the weight of the composition. There may furtherpreferably be included in the composition a filler such as silicafiller, which comprises 20% to 60% by weight of the organopolysiloxaneand there may also be present a process aid which comprises 1% to 25% byweight of the organopolysiloxane. The curing catalyst is preferablyt-butyl perbenzoate or dicuyl peroxide. The self-bonding, curablesilicone rubber components are mixed and heated to a temperature in therange of 80° C. to 650° C., so as to cure the resulting mixture to asilicone rubber mass. In the above composition, a critical ingredient isthe isocyanurate and cyanurate. The non-silicone isocyanurate orcyanurate is preferred since it has very good shelf-aging properties. Ifshelf-aging is not an important factor, then there may be used in placeof the isocyanurate of Formula (8) or the cyanurate of Formula (9)above, an additive selected from the class consisting of asilylisocyanurate of the formula.

and a silylcyanurate of the formula,

in the above formulas, R²¹ is as defined previously, G is selected fromR²¹— radicals and radicals of the formula,

E_((3-b))R_(b) ²⁵SiR²⁴—

where E is selected from R2o0- radicals and R oCOO— radicals, where R25and R26 are selected from monovalent hydrocarbon radicals andhalogenated monovalent hydrocarbon radicals, R24 is selected fromdivalent hydrocarbon radicals and halogenated divalent hydrocarbonradicals and b is a whole number equal to 0 to 3, inclusive. Thesilylisocyanurate and silylcyanurate of Formulas (10) and (11) may haveone silyl or two silyl substituent groups thereon on the isocyanuratemoiety or cyanurate moiety, but preferably has only one silyl groupthereon. Further, in the silylisocyanurates and silylcyanurates,preferably, G is represented by an R′ radical, that is, an unsaturatedmonovalent hydrocarbon radical. The curing of the silicone rubbercomposition can be effected by chemical vulcanizing agents or by highenergy electron radiation. More often, chemical vulcanizing agents areemployed for the curing operation and any of the conventional curingagents can be employed. The preferred curing agents are organicperoxides conventionally used to cure silicone elastomers.

Especially suitable are the peroxides which may have the structuralformulae,

wherein R2̂represents the same alkyl group throughout or alkyl groups oftwo or more different types and n is zero or a positive integer. Amongthe specific peroxidic curing catalysts that are preferred aredi-tertiary-butyl peroxide, tertiary-butyltriethylmethyl peroxide,tertiary-butyl triphenyl methyl peroxide, t-butyl perbenzoate and aditertiary alkyl peroxide such as dicumyl peroxide. Other suitableperoxidic catalysts which effect curing through saturated as well asunsaturated hydrocarbon groups on the silicone chain are aryl peroxideswhich include benzoyl peroxides, mixed alkyl-aryl peroxidic compoundswhich include tertiary-butyl perbenzoate, chloroaryl peroxides such as1,4-dichlorobenzoyl peroxide; 2,4-dichlorobenzoyl peroxide andmonochlorobenzoyl peroxide. From 0.1-8 per cent of said peroxidiccompound by weight of the composition is used to cure the siliconerubber composition and preferably 0.5-3.0 per cent by weight of theabove curing catalyst, t-butyl perbenzoate, is preferred.

Other examples of heat curable compositions include a self-bonding, heatcurable silicone rubber composition which comprises: (a) from 82 to99.65% by weight of a linear organopolysiloxane polymer having aviscosity of at. least 100,000 centipoise at 25° C., and having theaverage unit formula:

(b) from 0.1 to 8% by weight of a curing catalyst, and(c) from 0.25 to 10% by weight of a self-bonding additive of theformula:

in which the formulae a has a value of from 1.95 to 2.01 inclusive, R³⁰is a monovalent hydrocarbon or halohydrocarbon radical. R³⁶ is alkyl orhydrogen, Z is phenylene or a group of the formula —CO-0-, —CO—, —CO—NH—or —CO—NR³²— in which R³² is a monovalent hydrocarbon o halohydrocarbonradical, G is hydrogen, a saturated monovalent hydrocarbon orhalohydrocarbon radical, or has the same meaning as R³⁵, R³⁵ is anunsaturated monovalent hydrocarbon or halohydrocarbon radical, or agroup of the formula:

—R³⁴—SiR_(n) ³²(M)_(3-n)  (14)

in whichR³⁴ is a divalent hydrocarbon or halohydrocarbon radical, R³² has themeaning given above, M is a group of the formula R³³0- or R³³—CO-0- inwhich R³³ is a monovalent hydrocarbon or halohydrocarbon radical, and nis 0 or a whole number from 1 to 3.

The above composition preferably comprises 1% to 25% by weight, based onthe organopolysiloxane of a process aid. There may also be present from10 to 100% by weight, preferably 20 to 60% by weight, based on theorganopolysiloxane, of a filler, preferably silica. In addition, thereof course can be any of the other ingredients and additives normally tobe found in heat-curable silicone rubber compositions. In the aboveformulae, that is, formulae (12) to (14), the radicals R3, R32 and R33may be aryl radicals and halogenated aryl radicals such as phenyl,chlorophenyl, xylyl or tolyl, aralkyl radicals, such as phenethyl, orbenzyl; aliphatic, haloaliphatic and cycloaliphatic radicals such asalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, haloalkyl, including methyl, ethyl, propyl,chlorobutyl, or cyclohexyl. Preferably, the R3″ radical is representedby methyl and phenyl radicals, where at least 50% of the R30 radicalsare methyl. Further, in the organopolysiloxane polymer represented byformula (12), there is preferably 0.1 to 0.6 weight per cent of thepolymer of vinyl radicals. Further, preferably the R32 and R33 radicalsare alkyl radicals of not more than 8 carbon atoms and are preferablymethyl or ethyl. The R3° radical is selected from hydrogen and alkylradicals of preferably up to 10 carbon atoms. Preferably, the R3°radical is hydrogen. Radicals represented by R35 are alkenyl radicals,cycloalkenyl radicals and arylalkenyl radicals, such as vinyl, allyl,cyclohexyl, and phenyl-2-propenyl. In addition, the R35 radicals may berepresented by alkynyl radicals, such as propargyl. It is preferred thatR5 be either vinyl or allyl or an alkenyl radical of less than 8 carbonatoms. The R32 radical (when R*″ is a group of the formula R34-SiRn32(M)3_n) may be saturated monovalent hydrocarbon radical or anunsaturated monovalent hydrocarbon radical and is preferably representedby the radicals recited in the exemplification of the R3, R32 and -3 “i”3 R—****′ radicals.

However, more preferably, the R^(J) radical is selected from unsaturatedmonovalent hydrocarbon radicals and halogenated unsaturated monovalenthydrocarbon radicals such as alkenyl radicals of up to 8 carbon atoms.It is preferred that G be an unsaturated monovalent hydrocarbon radical.When R3**** represents a group of the formula —R34-SiRa 32(M)3_n, it ispreferable that G be an unsaturated monovalent hydrocarbon radical e.g.an alkenyl radical of up to 8 carbon atoms or arylene radical. It ispreferable that Z be a carboxyl radical, since when Z has the othermeanings enumerated above, these compounds are more difficult tosynthesize. In formulae (13), both the cis and trans isomers have beenshown and are intended to be covered. Any of the isomers of themaleates, and fumarates and the silylmaleates and silylfumaratesdisclosed or mixtures of the isomers may be used. In addition, singlecompounds may be used or a mixture of any of the self-bonding additives.Radicals included by R34 are divalent saturated and unsaturatedhydrocarbon radicals such as alkenyl, alkenylene, alkynylene and aryleneradicals, which are exemplified by ethylene, trimethylene,tetramethylene, phenylene, and ethylene-phenylene. The radical R34 mayhave 2 to 20 carbon atoms, and is preferably ethylene.

Maleates coming within the scope of formula (13) are diallylmaleate,dipropenylmaleate, and dibutenyl aleate. The preferred silylmaleatescoming within the scope of these formulae arebis-trimethoxysilylpropylmaleate and bis-trimethoxysilylbutylmaleate.The preferred compounds within the scope of formulae (13) are asfollows: bis-trimethoxysilylpropylmaleate diallyl fumarate allylhydrogen maleate bis-(3-chloropropenyl) maleate ethyl allyl fumaratediisopropenyl fumarate bis-trimethoxysilylpropyl fumaratebis-dimethoxymethylsilylpropyl maleate trimethoxysilylpropyl allylfumarate bis-ethoxydimethylsilylpropenyl maleate. There are also withinthe scope of formula (12) polydiorganosiloxanes which can be copolymerscontaining two or more different diorganosiloxane units therein andcopolymers of dimethylsiloxane units and methylphenylsiloxane units; orcopolymers of methylphenylsiloxane units, diphenylsiloxane units,dimethylsiloxane units and methylvinylsiloxane units as well ascopolymers of dimethylsiloxane units, methylvinylsiloxane units anddiphenylsiloxane units.

The curing of the silicone rubber composition invention can be effectedby any of the conventional curing agents. The preferred curing agentsare organic peroxidic compounds conventionally used to cure siliconeelastomers as described above. There may be incorporated into theorganopolysiloxane a filler which may be of the reinforcing filler typeor of the semi-reinforcing type. Generally, the reinforcing fillershaving 100-300 square meter surface areas per gram while thesemi-reinforcing fillers having a surface area of 1-20 square meters pergram.

The reinforcing fillers may be added when it is desired to have a highstrength silicone rubber composition, that is, a composition with highvalues for tensile strength and percent elongation. Illustrative of themany fillers which can be employed are lithopone, zinc oxide, zirconiumsilicate, silica aerogel, iron oxide, diatomaceous earth, fumed silica,precipitated silica, glass fibers, magnesium oxide, chromium oxide,zirconium oxide, aluminum oxide, crushed quartz, calcined clay,asbestos, cork, cotton and synthetic fibers. There can also be usedsilica filler treated with an organosiloxane cyclic trimer or tetramersuch that the filler is hydrophobic. Generally, there may be added tothe organopolysiloxane, 5 to 300% by weight of filler and preferably10-200% by weight.

An essential feature of the composition is the opacifier. Any opacifyingagents can be used although the preferred opacifying agents are one ormore of titanium dioxide, carbon black and calcium carbonate. Theopacifier is present in an amount of 0.1% to 35% by weight of theorganopolysiloxane, preferably the amount of opacifier will varyaccording to the shade of glass required. For example, if a black opaqueglass is required, it is preferred that from 0.1 to 3% by weight basedon the weight of the polysiloxane of carbon black is used. If a greyopacifier is required a mixture of carbon black and titanium dioxide maybe used in a ratio of between 1:10 and 1:100 by weight of carbonblack:titanium dioxide and preferably in an amount of 1 to 25% byweight. Titanium dioxide can be used in an amount of 1 to 25% by weightall based on the weight of the organopolysiloxane.

The present invention provides a method of coating surface of atranslucent material to stop light transmission by the translucentmaterial which method comprises applying a composition comprising anorganopolysiloxane and an opacifier and curing the composition.

Any of the organopolysiloxanes described may be used for the opacifyingcoating of the present invention.

The method of the present invention relates to the coating oftranslucent materials. Many types of translucent material can be coatedsuch as polymethylmethacrylate, polystyrene, polycarbonate, and glass,particularly solar reflecting glass. Glass is a particular materialwhich causes difficulty because of problems of bonding any form ofcoatings with the glass. As glass is an inorganic material, theopacifying coating is thought to bond physically with the material, i.e.adhere to its surface. This type of adherence is subjected to theravages of UV light when the glass is to be the exposed material and theopacifying coating is then on the inside of the glass. The opacifyingcoating has good bonding properties to glass. In one embodiment, atranslucent material is provided, in particular glass, when coated by amethod as described above. In one embodiment, a cladding material isprovided comprising a translucent material as the portion exposed to theelements and the opacifying coating as the inner portion of thecladding.

In one embodiment, the translucent material, particularly glass, iscleaned in a washing machine using demineralised water. Because of theproblems relating to bonding of the opacifying coating, i.e. the bondbeing exposed to UV light and large temperature variations, the glassshould be thoroughly cleaned without the use of alkali. Followingcleaning, the glass is preferably wiped with a solvent such as methylethyl ketone or isopropanol. If a plastics translucent material is to becleaned prior to application of the opacifying coating then care must betaken in the selection of cleaning solvents to prevent damage to thetranslucent material. The application of the opacifying coating can beperformed in a number of different ways. The essential feature is thatthe composition is thoroughly mixed so that the curing agent, theopacifying agent and the catalyst are uniformly dispersed with the othercomponents of the silicone composition. Preferably the curing agent andthe catalyst are separate from the remaining components of the siliconecomposition. In a two part form, the components are mixed in a spray gunand are sprayed onto the glass, the glass being generally in sheet orpanel form. The opacifying coating can be applied to a number ofdifferent types of glass including clear colorless glass, solarreflecting glass, mirror glass and glass for fire walls. The opacifyingcoating can provide a consistent, even, homogenous coating on glass andcan therefore provide suitable coatings for external mirror glass.

Polyorganosiloxanes made of units of the general formula

where R is identical or different and is an unsubstituted or substitutedhydrocarbon radical and r is 0, 1, 2 or 3 and has an average numericalvalue of from 1.9 to 2.1.

Examples of hydrocarbon radicals R are alkyl radicals such as themethyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl,n-pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl and tert-pentyl radicals; hexyl radicalssuch as the n-hexyl radical, heptyl radicals such as the n-heptylradical; octyl radicals such as the n-octyl radical, and isooctylradicals, such as the 2,2,4-trimethylpentyl radical; nonyl radicals suchas the n-nonyl radical; decyl radicals such as the n-decyl radical;dodecyl radicals such as the n-dodecyl radical; octadecyl radicals suchas the n-octadecyl radical; cycloalkyl radicals such as cyclopentyl,cyclohexyl and cycloheptyl radicals and methylcyclohexyl radicals; arylradicals such as the phenyl, biphenyl, naphthyl, anthryl and phenanthrylradicals; and alkaryl radicals such as o-, m-, and p-tolyl radicals,xylyl radicals and ethylphenyl radicals; aralkyl radicals, such as thebenzyl radical and the α- and β-phenylethyl radicals.

Examples of substituted hydrocarbon radicals R are halogenated alkylradicals such as the 3-chloropropyl radical, the 3,3,3-trifluoropropylradical, and the perfluorohexylethyl radical, and halogenated arylradicals such as the p-chlorophenyl radical and the p-chlorobenzylradical.

The radicals R are preferably hydrocarbon radicals having from 1 to 8carbon atoms, most preferably the methyl radical. Other examples ofradicals R are the vinyl, allyl, methallyl, 1-propenyl, 1-butenyl and1-pentenyl radicals, the 5-hexenyl, butadienyl, hexadienyl,cyclopentenyl, cyclopentadienyl, cyclohexenyl, ethynyl, propargyl and1-propynyl radicals. The radicals R are preferably alkenyl radicalshaving from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, most preferably the vinyl radical.Among unsubstituted or substituted hydrocarbon radicals having from 1 to8 carbon atoms, particular preference is given to the methyl, vinyl,phenyl and 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl radicals.

There are preferably alkyl radicals, most preferably methyl radicals,bonded to at least 70 mol % of the Si atoms present in thepolyorganosiloxane (A) made of units of the formula (I). If thepolyorganosiloxanes contain, besides Si-bonded methyl and/or3,3,3-trifluoropropyl radicals, Si-bonded vinyl and/or phenyl radicals,the amounts of the latter are preferably from 0.001 to 30 mol %.

The polyorganosiloxanes (A) are preferably composed predominantly ofdiorganosiloxane units. The end groups of the polyorganosiloxanes may betrialkylsiloxy groups, in particular the trimethylsiloxy radical or thedimethylvinylsiloxy radical. However, it is also possible for one ormore of these alkyl groups to have been replaced by hydroxyl groups orby alkoxy groups, such as methoxy or ethoxy radicals. Thepolyorganosiloxanes (A) may be liquids or highly viscous substances. Theviscosity of the polyorganosiloxanes (A) is preferably from 103 to 108MPa·s at 25° C. It is possible to use either just one type ofpolyorganosiloxane (A) or a mixture of at least two different types ofpolyorganosiloxanes (A).

The crosslinking agents preferably used in the novel silicone rubbermaterials are peroxides, such as dibenzoyl peroxide,bis(2,4-dichlorobenzoyl) peroxide, dicumyl peroxide or2,5-bis(tert-butylperoxy)-2,5-dimethylhexane, or mixtures of these,preferably a mixture of bis(2,4-dichlorobenzoyl) peroxide and2,5-bis(tert-butylperoxy)-2,5-dimetylhexane. Another preferredcrosslinking agent is a mixture of bis-4-methylbenzoyl peroxide (PMBP)and 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di-tert-butylperoxyhexane (DHBP) in a ratio of from1:0.4 to 0.5:1, preferably in a ratio of 1:0.4.

The polyorganosiloxanes (A) according to the invention also preferablycomprise reinforcing and/or nonreinforcing fillers. Examples ofreinforcing fillers are pyrogenic or precipitated silicas with BETsurface areas of at least 50 m2/g.

The silica fillers mentioned may have hydrophilic character or may havebeen hydrophobicized by known processes. Reference may be made here, forexample, to DE 38 39 900 A (Wacker-Chemie GmbH; application date Nov.25, 1988) or to the corresponding U.S. Pat. No. 5,057,151. Thehydrophobicization generally takes place using from 1 to 20% by weightof hexamethyldisilazane and/or divinyltetramethyldisilazane and from 0.5to 5% by weight of water, based in each case on the total weight of thepolyorganosiloxane material. These reagents are preferably added to aninitial charge of the polyorganosiloxane (A) in a suitable mixingapparatus, e.g. a kneader or internal mixer, prior to incorporating thehydrophilic silica gradually into the material.

Examples of nonreinforcing fillers are powdered quartz, diatomaceousearth, calcium silicate, zirconium silicate, zeolite, metal oxidepowders, such as aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, iron oxide, or zincoxide, barium silicate, barium sulfate, calcium carbonate, calciumsulfate and polytetrafluoroethylene powder. Other fillers which may beused are fibrous components, such as glass fibers and synthetic polymerfibers. The BET surface area of these fillers is preferably less than 50m2/g.

The novel polyorganosiloxane materials which can be crosslinked to giveelastomers preferably comprise from 1 to 200 parts by weight, morepreferably from 30 to 100 parts by weight of filler (B), based in eachcase on 100 parts by weight of polyorganosiloxane (A).

Depending on the particular application, additives (C), for exampleprocessing aids such as plasticizers, pigments, or stabilizers such asthermal stabilizers, may be added to the novel polyorganosiloxanematerials which can be vulcanized to give elastomers.

Examples of plasticizers which can be used as additives (C) arepolydimethylsiloxanes with a viscosity of not more than 1000 mm2/s at25° C. and having trimethylsilyl and/or hydroxyl terminal groups, orbiphenylsilanediol.

Examples of thermal stabilizers which can be used as additives (C) aretransition metal salts of fatty acids, such as iron octoate, ceriumoctoate and titanium bythylate, transition metal silanolates, such asiron silanolate, and also cerium(IV) compounds, and oxides, e.g. ironoxide and titanium oxide and mixtures of these.

In the case of each of the components used to prepare the novelmaterials, a single type of a given component may be used, or else amixture of at least two different types of that component. The novelpelletizing aids preferably comprise no other substances other thanthose previously described.

The amount of the novel additive added to this peroxidically crosslinkedsilicone rubber is preferably from 0.1 to 4% by weight, more preferablyfrom 0.4 to 2% by weight, and most preferably from 0.8 to 1.2% byweight. Pelletization follows, using conventional means of pelletizing,e.g. a pelletizing die and rotating knife, giving a fully free-flowingpelletized material.

An addition-crosslinking polyorganosiloxane material is preferred forthe silicone rubber. All of the abovementioned substances except theperoxidic crosslinking agent may also be used with theaddition-crosslinking polyorganosiloxane materials. In the case of thepolyorganosiloxane rubber materials which cure via hydrosilylation at anelevated temperature to give elastomers, polyorganosiloxanes (D) havingSi-bonded hydrogen atoms and hydrosilylation catalysts (E) are alsopresent.

The polyorganosiloxane crosslinking agents (D) may be linear, cyclic orbranched, and preferably contain at least 3 Si-bonded hydrogen atoms.The polyorganosiloxanes (D) used are preferably polyorganosiloxanes ofthe general formula (II)

H_(g)R² _(3-g)SiO(SiR² ₂O)_(k)(SiR²HO)₁SiR² _(3-g)H_(g)  (II)

where R2 is as defined for R, g is 0 or 1, and each of k and 1 is 0 oran integer from 1 to 100.

Examples and preferred examples for the radicals R2 have been listedabove in the examples for the radicals R. The radicals R2 are preferablysaturated alkyl radicals or phenyl radicals.

Each of k and 1 is preferably 0 or an integer from 1 to 50. The sum of kand 1 is preferably from 1 to 50, in particular from 1 to 20.

Particular examples of polyorganosiloxanes (D) are copolymers made ofdimethylhydrogensiloxane units, methylhydrogensiloxane units,dimethylsiloxane units and trimethylsiloxane units, copolymers made oftrimethylsiloxane units, dimethylhydrogensiloxane units andmethylhydrogensiloxane units, copolymers made of trimethylsiloxaneunits, dimethylsiloxane units and methylhydrogensiloxane units,copolymers made of methylhydrogensiloxane units and trimethylsiloxaneunits, copolymers made of methylhydrogensiloxane units, diphenylsiloxaneunits and trimethylsiloxane units, copolymers made ofmethylhydrogensiloxane units, dimethylhydrogensiloxane units anddiphenylsiloxane units, copolymers made of methylhydrogensiloxane units,phenylmethylsiloxane units, trimethylsiloxane units and/ordimethylhydrogensiloxane units, copolymers made ofmethylhydrogensiloxane units, dimethylsiloxane units, diphenylsiloxaneunits, trimethylsiloxane units and/or dimethylhydrogensiloxane units,and also copolymers made of dimethylhydrogensiloxane units,trimethylsiloxane units, phenylhydrosiloxane units, dimethylsiloxaneunits and/or phenylmethylsiloxane units.

The amount of polyorganosiloxane (D) used is preferably sufficient tosupply from 0.5 to 6 gram atoms, more preferably from 1 to 3 gram atoms,and most preferably from 1.5 to 2.5 gram atoms of Si-bonded hydrogenatom per mole of ethylenically unsaturated bonds in the radicals R1 ofthe polyorganosiloxane (A).

The hydrosilylation catalyst (E) used may in principle be any catalystconventionally used in addition-crosslinking silicone rubber materials.These include the elements and compounds of platinum, rhodium,palladium, ruthenium and iridium, preferably platinum. The transitionmetals may, if desired, have been fixed on finely divided supportmaterials such as active carbon, metal oxides such as aluminum oxide, oron pyrogenically prepared silicone dioxide.

Preference is given to the use of platinum and platinum compounds.Particular preference is given to platinum compounds soluble inpolyorganosiloxanes. Examples of soluble platinum compounds which may beused are the platinum-olefin complexes of the formulae (PtCl2.olefin)2and H(PtCl3.olefin), preferably using alkenes having from 2 to 8 carbonatoms, such as ethylene, propylene or isomers of butene or of octene, orcycloalkenes having from 5 to 7 carbon atoms, such as cyclopentene,cyclohexene or cycloheptene. Other soluble platinum catalysts are theplatinum-cyclopropane complex of the formula (PtCl2.C3H6)2, the reactionproduct of hexachloroplatinic acid with alcohols, with ethers or withaldehydes or with mixtures of these, or the reaction products ofhexachloroplatinic acid with methylvinylcyclotetrasiloxane in thepresence of sodium bicarbonate in ethanolic solution. Preference isgiven to finely divided platinum on support materials such as siliconedioxide, aluminum oxide, or activated wood charcoal or animal charcoal;to platinum halides such as PtCl4, hexachloroplatinic acid andNa2PtCl4.nH2O; platinum-olefin complexes, e.g. those with ethylene,propylene or butadiene; platinum-alcohol complexes; platinum-styrenecomplexes as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,394,317; platinum-alcoholatecomplexes; platinum-acetylacetonates; reaction products prepared fromchloroplatinic acid and monoketones, e.g. cyclohexanone, methyl ethylketone, acetone, methyl n-propyl ketone, diisobutyl ketone, acetophenoneor mesityl oxide; and platinum-vinylsiloxane complexes as described, forexample, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,715,334, 3,775,452 and 3,814,730, such asplatinum-divinyltetramethyldisiloxane complexes with or withoutdetectable amounts of inorganic halogen; all in amounts sufficient topromote the curing of the composition at a temperature of up to about250° C., where the organohydrogensiloxane and the hydrosilylationcatalyst are initially in different parts of the two or more componentcurable composition. Particular preference is given to complexes ofplatinum with vinylsiloxanes, such as sym-divinyltetramethyldisiloxane.

The hydrosilylation catalyst (IV) may also be used in microencapsulatedform, in which case the catalyst is present in a finely divided solidinsoluble in polyorganosiloxane, for example a thermoplastic (polyesterresins, silicone resins). The hydrosilylation catalyst used may also bein the form of an inclusion compound, for example in a cyclodextrin.

The amount of hydrosilylation catalyst used depends on the desired rateof crosslinking and also on economic factors. When the common platinumcatalysts are used, the content of platinum metal in the curablesilicone rubber material is in the range from 0.1 to 500 ppm by weight(ppm=parts per million parts), preferably from 10 to 100 ppm by weight,of platinum metal. If desired, the catalyst may also be used togetherwith an inhibitor, preferably in amounts of from 0.01 to 5% by weight.

A preferred preparation for an addition-crosslinking HTV silicone rubberis carried out as follows:

75 parts of a dipolyorganosiloxane end-capped by trimethylsiloxy groups,and consisting of 99.7 mol % of dimethylsiloxane units and 0.3 mol % ofvinylmethylsiloxane units, having a viscosity of 8×106 mPa·s at 25° C.,and 25 parts of a polydiorganosiloxane end-capped by trimethylsiloxygroups, consisting of 99.4 mol of dimethylsiloxane units and 0.6 mol %of vinylmethylsiloxane units, having a viscosity of 8×106 mPa·s at 25°C., are mixed in a kneader at 150° C. with 45 parts of silicone dioxideproduced pyrogenically in the gas phase having a BET surface area of 300m2/g, and 7 parts of a dimethylpolysiloxane having one Si-bondedhydroxyl group in each terminal unit, having a viscosity of 40 mPa·s at25° C., and kneaded for 2 hours. After cooling the mixture to roomtemperature, 5 ppm by weight of platinum, in the form of a 1% strengthsolution of hexachloroplatinic acid in isopropanol, and 0.2 ppm byweight of benzotriazole are admixed, the ppm by weight figures in eachcase being based on the entire weight of the mixture described above. Aportion of a methylhydrogenpolysiloxane end-capped with trimethylsiloxygroups and having a viscosity of 20 mPa·s at 25° C. is then added to themixture.

The novel additive, preferably in an amount from 0.1 to 4% by weight,more preferably from 0.4 to 2% by weight, and most preferably from 0.8to 1.2% by weight, is added to the addition-crosslinking siliconerubber. Pelletization follows using conventional means of pelletizing,such as a pelletizing die and a rotating knife, giving a fullyfree-flowing pelletized material.

The advantage of the novel additive is that a fully free-flowingpelletized material is obtained without adding pyrogenic siliconedioxide. The purpose of the addition of pyrogenic silicone dioxide hasbeen to reduce the tack of the silicone rubbers, which per se are tacky.The storage stability of mixtures of this type is no more than 24 hours,since the rubber stiffens completely within a few hours. The pelletizedsilicone rubber material, however, has a storage stability of at least 6months, and therefore can be satisfactorily processed throughout thisperiod.

Example 1 Preparation of the Additive

100 parts of a dimethylpolysiloxane with a viscosity of 8×106 mPa·s aremixed in a kneader with 13 parts of boric acid, 46 parts of siliconedioxide produced pyrogenically in the gas phase and having a surfacearea of 150 m2/g, 5 parts of calcium stearate, and 30 parts of deionizedwater and kneaded for 3 hours at 150° C. under nitrogen. During thistime, the water serving as solvent for the boric acid is drawn away.

Example 2 Preparation of the Peroxidically Crosslinking Silicone Rubber

100 parts of a diorganopolysiloxane end-capped with trimethylsiloxygroups, consisting of 99.93 mol % of dimethylsiloxane units and 0.07 mol% of vinylmethylsiloxane units and having a viscosity of 8×106 mPa·s at25° C., are mixed in a kneader operated at 150° C., first with 50 partsof silicone dioxide produced pyrogenically in the gas phase, having asurface area of 200 m2/g, then with 1 part of dimethylpolysiloxaneend-capped with trimethylsiloxy groups and having a viscosity of 96mPa·s at 25° C., then with 7 parts of a dimethylpolysiloxane having anSi-bonded hydroxyl group in each terminal unit and having a viscosity of40 mPa·s at 25° C., then again with 1 part of dimethylpolysiloxaneend-capped with trimethylsiloxy groups and having a viscosity of 96mPa·s at 25° C., and finally with 2.8 parts of a paste made of equalparts of bis(2,4-dichlorobenzoyl) peroxide and of a dimethylpolysiloxaneend-capped with trimethylsiloxy groups, having a viscosity of 250 mPa·sat 25° C. Added to the kneader is then 0.8% of the additive of Example1, and the mixture is processed without difficulty to give a fullyfree-flowing pelletized material. The production equipment forpelletization is an extruder with a rotating knife on the die.

Comparative Example 1

Example 2 is repeated without the novel additive. The resultant siliconerubber cannot be pelletized, but simply clogs the pelletizing die andknife.

Example 3 Preparation of the Addition-Crosslinking Silicone RubberPreparation of Component a

75 parts of a diorganopolysiloxane end-capped with trimethylsiloxygroups and consisting of 99.7 mol % of dimethylsiloxane units and 0.3mol % of vinylmethylsiloxane units having a viscosity of 8×106 mPa·s at25° C., and 25 parts of a diorganopolysiloxane end-capped withtrimethylsiloxy groups, consisting of 99.4 mol % of dimethylsiloxaneunits and 0.6 mol % vinylmethylsiloxane units having a viscosity of8×106 mPa·s at 25° C., are mixed in a kneader operated at 150° C. with45 parts of silicone dioxide produced pyrogenically in the gas phasehaving a BET surface area of 300 m2/g, and 7 parts of adimethylpolysiloxane having a Si-bonded hydroxyl group in each terminalunit, having a viscosity of 40 mPa·s at 25° C., and kneaded for 2 hours.

0.19 g of a platinum catalyst, composed of 97 parts by weight of apolydimethylsiloxane and 3 parts by weight of aplatinum-divinyltetramethyldisiloxane complex, and 0.07 parts by weightof ethynylcyclohexanol as an inhibitor, are added to 100 parts by weightof the initial silicone mixture after cooling the material to roomtemperature, and homogenized in a kneader.

Preparation of Component B

A mixture is prepared as described under component A, except that, aftercooling the material to room temperature, 4 parts by weight of apolydimethylsiloxane-co-hydromethylpolysiloxane and 0.03 parts by weightof ethynylcyclohexanol, as inhibitor, are added to 100 parts by weightof this initial silicone mixture, instead of the platinum catalyst andinhibitor.

Each of component A and component B is mixed with 0.8% of the additiveof Example 1, homogenized in a kneader, and processed without difficultyto give fully free-flowing pelletized materials. The productionequipment for this is an extruder with a rotating knife on the die.

Comparative Example 2

Example 3 is repeated without adding the novel additive. The resultantsilicone rubber components cannot be pelletized, but simply clog thepelletizing die and knife.

In one embodiment, an injection molding apparatus such as that disclosedin EP 0699512, fully incorporated herein by reference, is used. In oneembodiment of injection molding, an injection unit is mounted on a basestructure. The injection unit feeds moulding liquid to a distributionplate. A closing unit can be slidably mounted on the base structure andhas a mould die. The mould die can include moulding cavities forreceiving heat-hardenable moulding silicone rubber to form the wearabledevice 12.

In one embodiment, a moulding die is pressed against a distributionmember where injection nozzles of the distribution member are alignedwith the cavities of the mould die. The moulding liquid is then injectedinto the cavity, and the die is then heated to vulcanize the liquid.Once solidified, the moulding die can then be slid back from thedistribution member and the moulded objects in the die cavity, which canbe a bracelet 12, ejected therefrom. The cycle can then recommence.

In one embodiment, a liquid silicone rubber composition includes aliquid silicone rubber base compound produced by mixing (A) a liquiddiorganopolysiloxane containing an optional inorganic filler with (B) athermoplastic resin hollow-particle powder that expands when heated andperforming a heat treatment at a temperature sufficient to causeexpansion of component (B) and (C) a curing agent in an amountsufficient to cure the liquid diorganopolysiloxane; a method formanufacturing this composition; and a method for manufacturing a foamedsilicone rubber characterized in that the above-mentioned liquidsilicone rubber composition is heated and cured.

Component (A) is the main agent and can be diorganopolysiloxanedescribed by average unit formula Ra(OH)bSiO(4-a-b)/2, where R is amonovalent hydrocarbon group or a halogenated alkyl group. Examples ofmonovalent hydrocarbon groups include alkyl groups such as the methyl,ethyl, and propyl; alkenyl groups such as the vinyl and allyl;cycloalkyl groups such as cyclohexyl; aralkyl groups such as thep-phenylethyl; and aryl groups such as phenyl. Examples of halogenatedalkyl groups include chloromethyl, 3-chloropropyl, and3,3,3-trichloropropyl. In the formula a is a number from 1.9 to 2.1 andb is a number from 0 to 0.1. A diorganopolysiloxane such as this usuallyhas a viscosity (at 25° C.) between 100 and 1,000,000 mPa·s.

The molecular structure of this component (A) is substantially linear,but part of the molecular chain may be slightly branched. Specificexamples of this diorganopolysiloxane include dimethylpolysiloxanecapped with dimethylvinylsiloxy groups, a copolymer ofmethylvinylsiloxane and dimethylsiloxane capped with dimethylvinylsiloxygroups, a copolymer of methylvinylsiloxane and dimethylsiloxane cappedwith silanol groups, a copolymer of methylphenylsiloxane anddimethylsiloxane capped with dimethylvinylsiloxy groups, a copolymer ofmethylphenylsiloxane, methylvinylsiloxane, and dimethylsiloxane cappedwith dimethylvinylsiloxy groups, a copolymer of diphenylsiloxane anddimethylsiloxane capped with dimethylvinylsiloxy groups, a copolymer ofdiphenylsiloxane, methylvinylsiloxane, and dimethylsiloxane capped withdimethylvinylsiloxy groups, a copolymer ofmethyl(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)-siloxane and dimethylsiloxane capped withdimethylvinylsiloxy groups, and a copolymer ofmethyl(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)siloxane, methylvinylsiloxane, anddimethylsiloxane capped with dimethylvinylsiloxy groups.

Component (A) may contain an optional inorganic filler that serves toimpart mechanical strength to the silicone rubber. The inorganic fillercan be any that is known as a reinforcing filler or semi-reinforcingfiller of silicone rubber. Examples of reinforcing fillers include dryprocess silica, wet process silica, hydrophobic silica where the surfaceof one of these types of silica has been treated with anorganochlorosilicon, organoalkoxysilane, organopolysiloxane,organosilazane, or the like; carbon black; and colloidal calciumcarbonate. Of these, particulate silica with a specific surface area ofat least 100 m2/g are preferable. Examples of non-reinforcing fillersinclude diatomaceous earth, quartz powder, mica, aluminum oxide, andtitanium oxide.

Component (B) is a thermoplastic resin hollow-particle powder thatexpands when heated and comprises a volatile substance enclosed inspherical shells composed of a thermoplastic resin. Examples of thethermoplastic resin that forms the shell of this component includepolyethylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride,polyvinylidene chloride, polyacrylonitrile, polymethyl methacrylate,polybutadiene, polychloroprene, and other vinyl polymers and copolymers;nylon 6, nylon 66, and other polyamides; and polyethylene terephthalate,polyacetal, and blends of these. Examples of the volatile substanceenclosed in the thermoplastic resin hollow-particle powder includebutane, isobutane, propane, and other hydrocarbons; methanol, ethanol,and other alcohols; dichloroethane, trichloroethane, trichloroethylene,and other halogenated hydrocarbons; and diethyl ether, isopropyl ether,and other ethers. It is preferable for the particle diameter ofcomponent (B) to be 1 to 50 μm prior to expansion and 5 to 200 μm afterexpansion. This is because thermal conductivity will not be low if thisparticle diameter is less than 1 μm, but if 50 μm is exceeded, thestrength of the thermoplastic resin hollow-particle powder will decreaseto the point that the particles will break up during compounding intothe liquid silicone rubber base composition. The amount in whichcomponent (B) is compounded is usually 0.1 to 15 wt % in thecomposition. This is because thermal conductivity will not be low if theamount is less than this, but if the amount is larger than this theviscosity of the liquid silicone rubber base composition will be toohigh for processing or the thermal conductivity will be too low and heattreatment will take a long time.

The liquid silicone rubber compound is obtained by mixing theabove-mentioned component (B) into component (A) then expandingcomponent (B) by performing a heat treatment at a temperature over thethermal expansion commencement temperature of this component (B). Thetemperature at which the mixture of components (A) and (B) is heattreated is usually between 80 and 180° C. How much component (B) isexpanded will vary with the type of component (B) being used and otherfactors, but component (B) can be expanded up to, but not including, thesize at which the shell breaks.

The curing agent of component (C) can be an organic peroxide, or aplatinum-based catalyst can be used together with an organopolysiloxanecontaining hydrogen atoms bonded to silicone atoms. Examples of theorganic peroxide include benzoyl peroxide, t-butyl benzoate,o-methylbenzoyl peroxide, p-methylbenzoyl peroxide, m-methylbenzoylperoxide, dicumyl peroxide, and2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di-(t-butylperoxy)hexane. The amount at which thiscomponent is compounded is between 0.1 and 10 weight parts per 100weight parts component (A).

As to the latter use of a platinum-based catalyst together with anorganopolysiloxane containing hydrogen atoms bonded to silicone atoms,examples of the platinum-based catalyst include platinum fines, platinumblack, chloroplatinic acid, alcohol-modified chloroplatinic acid, anolefin complex of chloroplatinic acid, and a complex compound ofchloroplatinic acid and an alkenylsiloxane. The organopolysiloxanecontaining hydrogen atoms bonded to silicone atoms serves as acrosslinking agent to cure the composition through reaction with theabove-mentioned component (A) in the presence of a platinum-basedcatalyst. Examples of such an organopolysiloxane containing hydrogenatoms bonded to silicon atoms include methylhydrogenpolysiloxane cappedat both ends with trimethylsiloxy groups, a copolymer ofmethylhydrogensiloxane and dimethylsiloxane capped at both ends withtrimethylsiloxy groups, a copolymer of methylhydrogensiloxane anddimethylhydrogensiloxane capped at both ends with dimethylhydrogensiloxygroups, and tetramethyltetrahydrogencyclotetrasiloxane. In this case, aknown compound such as 1-ethynyl-cyclohexanol, 3-methyl-1-penten-3-ol,3,5-dimethyl-1-hexyn-3-ol, or benzotriazole can be added as an inhibitorof catalytic activity of the platinum-based catalyst.

In one embodiment, the composition is a liquid silicone rubber basecompound composed of the above-mentioned component (A), component (B),and component (C), but as long as the object of composition is notcompromised, various additives known to be added to silicone rubbercompositions may also be used in addition to the above components. Suchadditional components include carbon black, iron oxide red, and otherpigments; rare earth oxides; rare earth hydroxides; cerium silanolate,cerium fatty acid salts, and other heat resistance agents; fumedtitanium dioxide, carbon black, zinc carbonate, and various other flameretardants; and internal release agents.

The composition that can be used for the monitoring device structure canbe manufactured by compounding the above-mentioned component (C) withthe liquid silicone rubber base compound composed of component (A) andcomponent (B). Any of various mixers used in the manufacture of siliconerubber compositions can be used for the manufacturing apparatus here,examples of which include a kneader mixer, pressurized kneader mixer,Ross mixer, continuous kneader extruder, and other such mixers.

When heated and cured, the composition becomes a foamed silicone rubber.The heating temperature here is usually at least 100° C., and a range of100 to 180° C. is preferable. The foamed silicone rubber thus obtainedusually has a thermal conductivity between 0.05 and 0.17 W/(m·K).

The composition as described above is easy to work with in mixing andupon curing becomes a foamed silicone rubber with a low thermalconductivity. Therefore, this composition can be used to advantage inapplications that demand these characteristics, such as thermalinsulating gaskets, thermal insulating sealants, thermal insulatingadhesives, coatings for copier rolls, and so forth.

Various embodiments of useful compositions for the monitoring devicestructure will now be described through examples. In these examples,“parts” indicates “weight parts,” and viscosity is the value measured at25° C. The hardness of the foamed silicone rubber was measured accordingto JIS K 6249. Thermal conductivity was measured according to JIS R2618.

Example 1

100 Parts of a dimethylpolysiloxane that was capped at both ends of themolecular chain with dimethylvinylsiloxy groups and that had a viscosityof 2000 mPa·s and 10 parts of fumed silica that had been treated withhexamethyldisilazane and had a BET specific surface area of 130 m2/gwere put into a Ross mixer and mixed until uniform to prepare a compoundthat had fluidity. Next, 5 weight parts of a thermoplastic resinhollow-particle powder enclosing isobutane on the inside (thishollow-particle powder had a particle diameter between 10 and 16 μm, andits expansion commencement temperature was between 120 and 128° C.; thispowder is commercially available under the brand name “Expancell 091DU”from Expancell) was added and mixed until uniform. This mixture washeated treated at a temperature of 170° C. to prepare a liquid siliconerubber base compound that had fluidity. To this liquid silicone rubberbase compound were then added 2 parts of a copolymer of dimethylsiloxaneand methylhydrogensiloxane capped at both ends with trimethylsiloxygroups and composed of 4 mol dimethylsiloxane units and 6 mol ofmethylhydrogensiloxane units, 0.15 part (0.4 wt % platinum content) of acomplex of chloroplatinic acid and divinyltetramethyldisiloxane, and0.05 part 3,5-dimethyl-1-hexyn-3-ol (used as a curing inhibitor), andthese components were mixed until uniform to prepare a liquid siliconerubber composition. The viscosity of this composition was 600 Pa·s. Thiscomposition was then press cured at 120° C. to obtain a foamed siliconerubber with a thickness of 6 mm. This foamed silicone rubber was slicedand the cut surface thereof was observed under a microscope, whichrevealed that the size of the cells included in this foam was between 30and 50 μm, and the cells were uniform in size. The specific gravity ofthis foamed silicone rubber was 0.60, the hardness was 30, and thethermal conductivity was 0.13 W/(m·K). These results are given in Table1 below.

Comparative Example 2

100 Parts of a dimethylpolysiloxane that was capped at both ends of themolecular chain with dimethylvinylsiloxy groups and that had a viscosityof 2000 mPa·s and 10 parts of fumed silica that had been treated withhexamethyldisilazane and had a BET specific surface area of 130 m2/gwere put into a Ross mixer and mixed until uniform to prepare a compoundthat had fluidity. Next, 5 weight parts of a thermoplastic resinhollow-particle powder enclosing isobutane on the inside (thishollow-particle powder had a particle diameter between 10 and 16 μm, andits expansion commencement temperature was between 120 and 128° C.; thispowder is commercially available under the brand name “Expancell 091DU”from Expancell) was added and mixed until uniform to prepare a liquidsilicone rubber base compound that had fluidity. To this liquid siliconerubber base compound were then added 2 parts of a copolymer ofdimethylsiloxane and methylhydrogensiloxane capped at both ends withtrimethylsiloxy groups and composed of 4 mol of dimethylsiloxane unitsand 6 mol of methylhydrogensiloxane units, 0.15 part (0.4 wt % platinumcontent) of a complex of chloroplatinic acid anddivinyltetramethyldisiloxane, and 0.05 part 3,5-dimethyl-1-hexyn-3-ol(used as a curing inhibitor), and these components were mixed untiluniform to prepare a liquid silicone rubber composition. The viscosityof this composition was 90 Pa·s. This composition was then press curedat 120° C. to obtain a foamed silicone rubber with a thickness of 6 mm.This foamed silicone rubber was sliced and the cut surface thereof wasobserved under a microscope, which revealed that the size of the cellsincluded in this foam was between 10 and 20 μm, and the cells had hardlyexpanded at all. The specific gravity of this foamed silicone rubber was1.02, the hardness was 30, and the thermal conductivity was 0.19W/(m·K). These results are given in Table 1 below.

Comparative Example 3

100 Parts of a dimethylpolysiloxane that was capped at both ends of themolecular chain with dimethylvinylsiloxy groups and that had a viscosityof 2000 mPa·s and 10 parts of fumed silica that had been treated withhexamethyldisilazane and had a BET specific surface area of 130 m2/gwere put into a Ross mixer and mixed until uniform to prepare a compoundthat had fluidity. Next, 5 weight parts of a hollow-particle powder thathad already been expanded by heating a thermoplastic resinhollow-particle powder enclosing isobutane on the inside (thishollow-particle powder had a particle diameter between 35 and 55 μm, andis commercially available under the brand name “Expancell 091DE” fromExpancell) was added and mixed until uniform to prepare a liquidsilicone rubber base composition that had fluidity. This previouslyheated and expanded hollow-particle powder was extremely prone toscattering, and furthermore was high in bulk, which made it tremendouslydifficult to work with in mixing. To this liquid silicone rubber basecomposition were then added 2 parts of a copolymer of dimethylsiloxaneand methylhydrogensiloxane capped at both ends with trimethylsiloxygroups and composed of 4 mol dimethylsiloxane units and 6 mol ofmethylhydrogensiloxane units, 0.15 part (0.4 wt % platinum content) of acomplex of chloroplatinic acid and divinyltetramethyldisiloxane, and0.05 part 3,5-dimethyl-1-hexyn-3-ol (used as a curing inhibitor), andthese components were mixed until uniform to prepare a liquid siliconerubber composition. The viscosity of this composition was 900 Pa·s. Thiscomposition was then press cured at 120° C. to obtain a foamed siliconerubber with a thickness of 6 mm. This foamed silicone rubber was slicedand the cut surface thereof was observed under a microscope, whichrevealed that the size of the cells included in this foam was between 30and 50 μm, and the cells were uniform in size. The specific gravity ofthis foamed silicone rubber was 0.62, the hardness was 32 (JIS type A),and the thermal conductivity was 0.14 W/(m·K). These results are givenin Table 1 below.

Comparative Example 4

100 Parts of a dimethylpolysiloxane that was capped at both ends of themolecular chain with dimethylvinylsiloxy groups and that had a viscosityof 2000 mPa·s and 10 parts of fumed silica that had been treated withhexamethyldisilazane and had a BET specific surface area of 130 m2/gwere put into a Ross mixer and mixed until uniform to prepare a compoundthat had fluidity. Next, 5 weight parts of a hollow-particle powder thathad undergone an anti-scattering treatment, in which a hollow-particlepowder that had already been expanded by heating a thermoplastic resinhollow-particle powder enclosing isobutane on the inside (thishollow-particle powder had a particle diameter between 35 and 55 μm, andis commercially available under the brand name “Expancell 091DE” fromExpancell) was treated by air spraying with 5 parts of adimethylpolysiloxane having a viscosity of 10 mPa·s, was added and mixeduntil uniform to prepare a liquid silicone rubber base compound that hadfluidity. This hollow-particle powder that had undergone theanti-scattering treatment posed no problem in mixing. To this liquidsilicone rubber base composition were then added 2 parts of a copolymerof dimethylsiloxane and methylhydrogensiloxane capped at both ends withtrimethylsiloxy groups and composed of 4 mol of dimethylsiloxane unitsand 6 mol of methylhydrogensiloxane units, 0.15 part (0.4 wt % platinumcontent) of a complex of chloroplatinic acid anddivinyltetramethyldisiloxane, and 0.05 part 3,5-dimethyl-1-hexyn-3-ol(used as a curing inhibitor), and these components were mixed untiluniform to prepare a liquid silicone rubber composition. The viscosityof this composition was 500 Pa·s. This composition was then press curedat 120° C. to obtain a foamed silicone rubber with a thickness of 6 mm.This foamed silicone rubber was sliced and the cut surface thereof wasobserved under a microscope, which revealed that the size of the cellsincluded in this foam was between 30 and 50 μm, and the cells wereuniform in size. The specific gravity of this foamed silicone rubber was0.60, the hardness was 28 (JIS type A), and the thermal conductivity was0.14 W/(m·K). These results are given in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Example Comparative Example Example 1 Comp. Ex. 1 Comp. Ex. 2Comp. Ex. 3 Type of thermoplastic unexpanded unexpanded pre-expandedpre-expanded resin hollow-particle hollow-particle hollow-particlehollow-particle hollow-particle powder powder powder powder powdertreated with oil Ease of work during good good good good mixingViscosity (Pa · s) 600 90 900 500 Curing temp. (° C.) 120 120 120 120Hardness (type A) 30 30 32 28 Specific gravity 0.60 1.02 0.62 0.60Thermal conductivity 0.13 0.19 0.14 0.14 (W/(m · K)) Oil seepage no nono yes

Other suitable silicon rubbers are disclosed in EP 0654497.

In one embodiment, a platinum paste B was prepared by mixing 10 grams ofa low-degree-of-polymerization dimethylvinylpolysiloxane substitutedsolution of a chloroplatinic acid-alcohol solution (having a vinylcontent 0.7 mol % and a platinum content of 1.0%) and 90 grams of anorganopolysiloxane having a vinyl content of 0.15 mol % and an averagedegree of polymerization of 5,000.

To 100 parts of an organopolysiloxane consisting of 99.85 mol % of adimethylsiloxane (CH3)2SiO unit and 0.15 mol % of a methylvinylsiloxane(CH3)(CH═CH2)SiO unit and terminated with a dimethylvinylsiloxane(CH3)2(CH═CH2)SiO1/2 unit at either end were added 45 parts of fumedsilica (Aerosil 200 commercially available from Nippon Aerosil K.K.) and7 parts of hydroxyl-end-blocked dimethylsilicone fluid having a degreeof polymerization (n) of 10. The ingredients were mixed in a kneader andthen heat treated at 160 to 170° C. for 2 hours, obtaining a rubbercompound.

To 100 parts of the rubber compound were added 0.5 part of platinumpaste B as a curing agent, 0.05 or 0.1 part of di-n-hexylsulphide, and1.2 parts of organohydrogenpolysiloxane having a Si—H content of 0.005mol/g. The ingredients were milled to form silicone rubber compositions(Examples 1 and 2).

A silicone rubber composition (Example 3) was prepared by the sameprocedure as Example 1 expect that 0.1 part of a conventional knowncontrol agent, ethynylcyclohexanol, was further added to the compositionof Example 1.

Comparative Examples 4 and 5

A silicone rubber composition (Comparative Example 4) was prepared bythe same procedure as Example 1 except that di-n-hexylsulphide wasomitted.

A silicone rubber composition (Comparative Example 5) was prepared bythe same procedure as Example 1 except that di-n-hexylsulphide wasomitted and ethynylcyclohexanol was added instead.

Examples 5 and 6

A platinum paste C was prepared by mixing 10 grams of alow-degree-of-polymerization dimethylvinylpolysiloxane substitutedsolution of a chloroplatinic acid-alcohol solution (having a vinylcontent 0.7 mol % and a platinum content of 1.0%), 1.0 grams of2,4,6-tris(t-butylperoxy)-1,3,5-triazine (commercially available fromKayaku Akuzo K. K.), and 89 grams of an organopolysiloxane having avinyl content of 0.15 mol % and an average degree of polymerization of5,000.

To 100 parts of the same rubber compound as in Example 1 were added 0.5part of platinum paste C as a curing agent, 0.02 part ofditridecyl-3,3′-thiodipropionate, and 1.2 parts oforganohydrogenpolysiloxane having a Si—H content of 0.005 mol/g. Theingredients were milled to form a silicone rubber compositions (Example4).

Silicone rubber compositions (Examples 5 and 6) were prepared by thesame procedure as Example 4 except that 0.01 part of di-n-hexylsulphideor n-octylsulphide was added instead ofditridecyl-3,3′-thiodipropionate.

Each of the resultant silicone rubber compositions was allowed to standin a dryer at 40° C. such that no air was directly blown to thecomposition. A gel time was measured. The gelling point was judged bymilling a sheet Imm thick between two rolls ten rounds, wrapping thesheet around roll, and observing whether the sheet surface texture wassmooth. When the surface texture was smooth, the sheet was judged notgelled. The results are shown in Tables 1 and 2.

TABLE 1 Comparative Comparative Composition (pbw) Example 1 Example 2Example 3 Example 1 Example 2 Rubber compound 100 100 100 100 100Platinum paste B 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 Di-n-hexylsulphide 0.05 0.1 0.05 —— Ethynylcyclohexanol — — 0.1 — 0.1 Organohydrogenpolysiloxane 1.2 1.21.2 1.2 1.2 Gel time at 40° C. 6 days 15 days 10 days 15 minutes 1 dayComposition (pbw) Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Rubber Composition 100100 100 Platinum paste C 0.5 0.5 0.5 Ditridecyl-3,3′-thiodipropionate0.02 — — Di-n-decyldisulphide — 0.01 — n-Octylsulphide — — 0.01Organohydrogenpolysiloxane 1.2 1.2 1.2 Gel time at 40° C. 30 days 28days 30 days

As is evident from Tables 1 and 2, silicone rubber compositionsexploiting our new proposals have a very long gel time at 40° C. and arepotentially curable compositions which are stabilized against prematuregelation.

The foregoing description of various embodiments of the claimed subjectmatter has been provided for the purposes of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the claimedsubject matter to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to the practitioner skilled in the art.Particularly, while the concept “component” is used in the embodimentsof the systems and methods described above, it will be evident that suchconcept can be interchangeably used with equivalent concepts such as,class, method, type, interface, module, object model, and other suitableconcepts. Embodiments were chosen and described in order to bestdescribe the principles of the invention and its practical application,thereby enabling others skilled in the relevant art to understand theclaimed subject matter, the various embodiments and with variousmodifications that are suited to the particular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wearable device, comprising: a wearable devicestructure, the wearable device including a first end and a second end; aplurality of magnets at the first end and a plurality of magnets at thesecond end; the first and second ends being coupled by overlapping atleast a portion of the first end magnets to at least a portion of thesecond end magnets, with a distance between overlapped magnets on thefirst end to magnets of the second end being 0.1 to 10 mm; and IDcircuitry is provided at a surface or an interior of the wearabledevice.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the wearable device structureis at least partially made of a silicone rubber
 3. The device of claim1, wherein the ID circuitry is at least partially positioned in theinterior of the wearable device.
 4. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising: a support structure coupled to the wearable device.
 5. Thedevice of claim 4, wherein the ID circuitry is coupled to the supportstructure.
 6. The device of claim 4, wherein at least a portion of themagnets are retained at the support structure.
 7. The device of claim 1further comprising: one or more batteries coupled to the ID circuitry.8. The device of claim 1, wherein the first end overlaps the second endof the wearable device.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the deviceincludes one or more sensors.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein thedevice is configured to be in communication with a telemetry system. 11.The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to be incommunication with a social network.
 12. The device of claim 1, whereinthe device is a mobile device.
 13. The device of claim 12, furthercomprising: a memory; a memory controller; one or more processing units(CPU's); a peripherals interface; a Network Systems circuitry; aninput/output (I/O) subsystem
 14. The device of claim 1, wherein thedevice includes an antenna and a unique user ID and one or more sensors.15. The device of claim 13, wherein the one or more sensors acquiresinformation selected from at least one of a wearable device user'sactivities, behaviors and habit information.
 16. The device of claim 1,wherein the ID circuitry includes ID storage, a communication systemthat reads and transmits the unique ID from an ID storage, a powersource and a pathway system to route signals through the circuitry. 17.The device of claim 1, further comprising: elements to enableinstallation of a firmware update.
 18. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising: an alarm.
 19. The device of claim 1, further comprising: amulti-protocol wireless controller that in operation characterizesavailable networks to determine current network information.
 20. Thedevice of claim 1, further comprising: an activity manager.
 21. Thedevice of claim 1, further comprising: a transmit antenna that inoperation produces a wireless field; an amplifier coupled to thetransmit antenna; a load sensing circuit coupled to the amplifier; and acontroller coupled to the load sensing circuit.